LONDON: Andy Murray (pictured) will miss the French Open with the back injury that flared up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced late on Tuesday.
After meeting with medical specialists Murray has decided to skip the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland Garros to ensure he is fully fit for Wimbledon.
“It’s a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice, I am not fit to compete,” the US Open and Olympic champion explained in a statement to Britain’s Press Association.
“After consultation with his team and medical specialists, Andy has reluctantly withdrawn from the French Open and will instead focus on preparation for the grass court season,” the statement added.
Murray had raised the possibility of his absence from the French Open after retiring with the back problem in his second-round match against Spain’s Marcel Granollers at the Rome Masters last week.
“I’d be very surprised if I was playing in Paris,” a subdued Murray said after the match last week.
This will be the first Grand Slam he has missed since Wimbledon in 2007.
The injury was the same one which required him to take a pain-killing injection in order to play Roland Garros last year where he reached the quarter-finals.
Murray will now aim to return for the start of the grasscourt season at Queens Club on June 10.
“(The back) has not been perfect for a long period, I want it to start feeling good again. Everyone goes into matches with niggles, but this is very frustrating,” added Murray after his Rome retirement.
“I don’t want to go into details, but I’ve got a disc problem, it changes week to week. It’s been an issue for a while, but I want to make sure it goes away.
“I don’t want to be playing with it long-term, it’s not enjoyable at all.”
Meanwhile, world number seven Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of next week’s French Open tennis, which begins on Sunday, after failing to recover from a virus, organisers said yesterday.
Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals at the claycourt grand-slam event last year, flew home after losing to Frenchman Benoit Paire in the Rome Masters last 16 last week.
“He has withdrawn,” a French Federation spokesman said, confirming Argentine media reports.
“I am sad to miss such an important tournament, one that you always dream of winning,” Del Potro was quoted as saying by Ultima Hora’s website.
Del Potro is the second top-10 player to withdraw from the French Open. AGENCIES
