MURRAY’S KO BLOW
Hip hitch for Andy
ANDY MURRAY’S Wimbledon preparations were hit after injury forced him out of yesterday’s warm-up at the Hurlingham Club.
The world No.1 had planned to play two matches at the exhibition Aspall Tennis Classic event following his first-round exit to Jordan Thompson at Queen’s last week.
He had been due to take on Frenchman Lucas Pouille but pulled out due to a hip problem.
The decision was described as a precaution, with Murray planning to contest the second match against an as-yet unnamed opponent on Friday.
Murray’s season has been hit with health problems and this is another setback in his preparations for Wimbledon next week where he will defend his title.
Meanwhile, rain washed out the all-British showdown between ® Marcus Willis and Liam Broady in the Wimbledon qualifiers. Willis was due to face Broady at Roehampton yesterday.
They will try again today with the winner facing Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko or German Benjamin Becker for a place in the main draw.
Dropped
Britain’s No.3 Dan Evans, who will not be at Wimbledon after testing positive for cocaine, has been dropped by sponsors Ellesse.
Johanna Konta, Britain’s No.1 woman, was supposed to be in action against Romanian Sorana Cirstea at Eastbourne but their match also fell foul to the weather.
Meanwhile, John McEnroe has refused to apologise for his comments about Serena Williams.
McEnroe sparked a storm when he claimed Williams, who holds the Open-era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, would be ranked around 700 in the men’s game.
He said: “I felt the need, however unfortunately, to defend myself and say what I really felt, which is about what I think she would be.
“I’ve got a solution... and I’m sure the men would be all for this – the men and women play together. And then we don’t have to guess.”