ANDY’S WIMBO FITNESS BATTLE
ANDY MURRAY is in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after pulling out of the cinch Championships last night with an abdominal strain.
The former world No.1 had a scan in London yesterday after suffering his latest injury setback in Sunday’s final of the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
His first strain to his left abdominals is not severe but the Scot, 35, has decided to rest this week to increase his chances of being fit for his home Grand Slam.
He could play an exhibition match at Hurlingham to test his fitness before Wimbledon starts on June 27 but his withdrawal ends any hope of getting seeded.
Murray said: “After having a scan, an abdominal injury means I won’t be fit to compete at Queen’s this year.
“The tournament means a lot to me and it’s disappointing not to compete, especially after playing some good matches on the grass already.”
The world No.47 twice needed on-court treatment during the Stuttgart final and his serve was badly affected as he went down in three sets to Matteo Berrettini.
The Italian world No.10 revealed yesterday that he suffered a similar abdominal injury at the 2021 Australian Open and was out for two months.
“I was serving and I felt something sharp, I didn’t know what it was, I finished the match, did an MRI,” said last year’s Wimbledon runner-up.
“They told me that I had to rest. There’s always going to be scar tissue so it is kind of stiff all the time.
“And sometimes when I get tired, that area gets inflamed and I have to rest and get treatment.”
Emma Raducanu also pulled out of Nottingham last week with a stomach injury.
British No.2 Dan Evans said: “It’s never easy for people to be injured but if anyone knows how to prepare himself for Wimbledon, it’s Andy. And hopefully Emma will be fit too.”