Andy Murray setback will not halt ‘inevitable’ success says former British No 1

Andy Murray suffered a worrying injury setback as he was forced to pull out of the Toronto Masters, but former British No 1 Laura Robson believes his return to the top tier of the game is now ‘inevitable’.

Murray issued an apology to fans in Canada after he withdrew from his match with Italy’s Jannik Sinner in Toronto due to an abdominal strain.

The pair were set to play in the round of 16 at the National Bank Open on Thursday but Murray decided not to risk any further injury.

In a statement, Murray said: “I had a very similar issue last year in the tournament in Stuttgart before Wimbledon which forced me to miss the Queen’s Club tournament and I was able to play Wimbledon.

“It took me about 10 to 12 days before I was feeling good again.

“This is not as bad as that but obviously the danger if you compete and play on it is you make it worse.

“So, I’ll need to see how it develops over the coming days and hopefully feel better in a few days. I’m really sorry.”

If Murray’s diagnosis of his injury is accurate, he should be on course to take his place in the draw for the US Open later month and former British No 1 Laura Robson has told Tennis365 that the Scot is ready to mix it with the game’s big-hitters once again.

Murray has been coming up short in matches against high-ranked opponents in recent months, but the tight nature of those matches suggests he is close to recording some big victories.

After a disappointing second round defeat against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon last month, Murray will be hoping to get to the second week of the US Open and Robson believes that is possible.

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“He is playing so consistently now, playing week-in, week-out. The more matches he can play the better,” Robson told Tennis365 at a Play Your Way To Wimbledon event.

“He is one of the toughest opponents out there, he never gives in and he is great at working out matches as he goes.

“This is what he has been striving for in the last few years since his return. He is very much back up there again.

“You thought maybe he was going to do it at Wimbledon, but it seems inevitable that it will happen at some point.

“The fact that he is still loving it as much as he does is a positive sign and for all the young lads coming up to see someone who has won as much as he has still competing as well as he did 15 years ago, that’s inspiring.”

Murray has been involved in some long matches in 2023 and in her role as one of the most respected TV analysts in tennis, Robson suggests she always knows she needs to be prepared for a late night when she is commentating on the two-time Wimbledon champion.

“Whenever I am commentating on an Andy Murray match, I know I’m in for a long shift,” she added.

“You always know he’s going to turn every match a very physical battle and try to lengthen out the rallies.

“The fact that he has got himself back into the position where we are talking about him as one of the top guys again is the most important thing.”

Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, forming part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to support grassroots tennis in the UK, whilst encouraging more people to pick up a racket.