Doctor's orders force Murray to pull out of French Open with injured back

By Mike Dickson

PUBLISHED: 16:31 EST, 21 May 2013 | UPDATED: 07:42 EST, 22 May 2013

Andy Murray reluctantly pulled out of the French Open after being told his troublesome back would not allow him to compete.

Murray will miss a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2007 due to the injury that surfaced during last week’s Italian Open second-round match against Marcel Granollers, which he pulled out from after the second set.

His management had said earlier on Tuesday that no decision would be taken until Wednesday but according to one credible source Murray had made his mind up to withdraw several days ago.

Scroll down for video

Bad news: Andy Murray announced he would not compete at the French Open after consulting with his doctor

Bad news: Andy Murray announced he would not compete at the French Open after consulting with his doctor

Debate: Murray consults his fitness team following his assessment in Bristol on Tuesday

Debate: Murray consults his fitness team following his assessment in Bristol on Tuesday

Murray rallied from 4-1 down against Granollers to win the second set 7-6 but then withdrew in the belief that he would not be able to play his second match. He will now try to ensure he is ready for Wimbledon, which begins in four weeks on Monday.

After his stellar performances on grass last summer, when he reached the Wimbledon final and then won Olympic gold, he has his best chance of providing a first home triumph at SW19 since Fred Perry in 1936, provided he can recover.

Murray said ‘It’s a really tough decision. I love playing in Paris but, after seeking medical advice, I am not fit to compete.

‘Apologies to the organisers and thanks to everyone for the messages of support. My complete focus now is getting back on court as soon as possible.’

Thanks Doc: Murray will now focus on Wimbledon after deciding to miss the French Open in Paris
Thanks Doc: Murray will now focus on Wimbledon after deciding to miss the French Open in Paris

Thanks Doc: Murray will now focus on Wimbledon after deciding to miss the French Open in Paris

Murray said in Rome that it was unlikely he would compete in Paris, despite winning five of the  last seven games against Granollers and then the tiebreak.He has been troubled by nagging back problems for two-and-a-half years and said he wanted ‘to get back to feeling 100 per cent fit again’.

The 26-year-old also pointed out that the quicker pace and lower bounce of the ball on grass was likely to help him.

He has suffered physical problems on clay for the past two years, which has coupled with the frustration of knowing that his performances on the surface have never been the equal of what he has achieved on other surfaces.

Murray had earlier been advised to focus on the All England Club by 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.

Blow: Murray hurt his back in Madrid and has been unable to recover in time for next week's grand slam

Blow: Murray hurt his back in Madrid and has been unable to recover in time for next week's grand slam

Blow: Murray hurt his back in Madrid and has been unable to recover in time for next week's grand slam

The Croat, who was also runner-up in 1992, 1994 and 1998 said: ‘His chance this year is huge and I don’t think he wants to risk it, playing in the French and injuring himself more.’

‘Even if Murray is 100 per cent fit, he’s not the favourite to win there. I have to go with Rafael Nadal. There’s only one guy who can beat him there, Novak Djokovic. He has to pray for weather like this, heavy. When it’s sunny it’s very tough to beat Nadal.’

Murray has consulted an unusually wide range of specialists in the past few days to try and get to the bottom of back problems he believes are caused by the exceptionally heavy rotation of the body used in hitting strokes in clay court tennis.

His next tournament is due to be the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club, which start in two weeks on Monday, but he was giving little away about the exact condition that caused Tuesday night’s withdrawal.

 

More...


Comments (53)

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

Murray is a professional sportsman, playing tennis to earn a living. He is pretty much self-employed and that entitles him to play as, when and where he chooses, whether or not it pleases or upsets fans and haters. When he plays Davis Cup, that's a different matter - for him and for the public. So long as he's happy with himself, family and friends, I don't blame him if he doesn't give a hoot about what strangers think. Why should he. Would you? Live and let live.

Click to rate     Rating   21

Report abuse

To those who say this was the only chance Murray had of winning a slam - where WERE you last year when he won the US Open? LOL! And don't bring up the old chestnut of 'he only won because NADAL wasn't there either. He had to beat the number one player in the world to get his first slam - and for your information haters, this is something that NONE of the other top players of this era has done! Djokovic, Nadal and even the illustrious Federer won their first slams against players ranked beneath number 6! Suck it up. Andy rocks!

Click to rate     Rating   27

Report abuse

unbelievable the venom some people can produce against a young talented tennis player, must be so exhausting to put such effort into disrespecting someone for no other reason than jealousy. Don't like him or watching him play the solution is easy as a wise meerkat once said don't watch #simples

Click to rate     Rating   38

Report abuse

I really can't believe the vile remarks posted about Andy(and his family). I don't like certain players but would NEVER say anything personal about them. He's a TENNIS player for goodness sake! A really good one too( how people say he's rubbish is beyond me) . This is my second attempt to add a comment as the one I did at 6.30 was ignored( and it was pretty tame compared to some of the remarks put through!

Click to rate     Rating   41

Report abuse

Seth Sanity-for the sake of us all, please call your Doctor and ask for help. I really am concerned that there is something seriously amiss in your head

Click to rate     Rating   26

Report abuse

Seth Sanity-for the sake of us all, please call your Doctor and ask for help. I really am concerned that there is something seriously amiss in your head

Click to rate     Rating   17

Report abuse

Today I am laughing at the comments of Andy's critics as I saw it coming this morning when I heard the news. It must be sad to hate someone you really do not know or have never met. I have read Andy's two books and have an insight to a Young Man who is passionate about his sport and proud to be playing for GB. He has broken all but one record Wimbledon so far in his career. Well done Andy. Wonder what you critics have Won??? Pleased you have pulled out of French Open Andy hope injury responds to treatment and look forward to watching you at Queens when taking on Ivan your lovely Coach and also in the doubles with Tim Henman in the Charity Matches. Come back Andy and play at Queens and win it for the 3rd Time and follow it with picking Up that Golden Plate at Wimbledon. Go for it my Lovely Laddie from Dunblane. x

Click to rate     Rating   35

Report abuse

I asked for a comment to be removed yesterday because it was so sickening and should not have been printed. If I don't like someone I don't read about them and certainly don't post comments so there must be another reason. It is a sad day when a British sportsman injures his back and gets ridiculed by faceless people in a daily newspaper. Dishcloth 12.41. what a silly comment.

Click to rate     Rating   38

Report abuse

The wonder of Nadal's knees is not that they forced him out for seven months but that, given the remorseless running of his baseline game,they held out for so long. And then, to reproach Federer with bad sportsmanship,in comparison with the contemtible antics of Murray? You fail the sanity test, Buzz.

Click to rate     Rating   32

Report abuse

So proud of Andy Murray and all he has achieved. He has done Britain proud ! Such a shame he cant take part because win, lose or draw its important to have been a contender and keep up his match fitness. Obviously he would be desperate to play, that's what has made him a tennis legend. Lets hope our Andy gets fit soon and able to play asap. Real tennis fans will miss him big time.

Click to rate     Rating   34

Report abuse

Share this comment

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.