Bitter pill for home fans as Andy Murray forced to pull out of Queen’s
Andy Murray has been forced to pull out of this week’s cinch Championships at Queen’s Club due to the abdominal injury he suffered in Stuttgart.
The three-time grand slam champion underwent a scan on Monday which showed a strain to his left abdomen.
However, the former world number one is hopeful of being able to step up his preparations for Wimbledon next week.
Murray said: “After having a scan this afternoon, 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.”
Murray suffered the injury during a three-set defeat by Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Stuttgart Open on Sunday.
The 35-year-old had made it through to the final of a grass-court tournament for the first time since winning his second Wimbledon title in 2016, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios along the way.
He was bidding to win his first title since 2019 but, after forcing a deciding set, began to experience discomfort and twice needed treatment before succumbing to a 6-4 5-7 6-3 defeat.
Rather than get some more matches under his belt this week, Murray is now likely to play an exhibition towards the end of next week in a blow to his preparations for SW19.
But British number two Dan Evans believes Murray’s absence from Queen’s should not hamper his Wimbledon bid.
“It’s never easy for people to be injured, especially this time of year. It’s not ideal,” said Evans.
“In Andy’s case, if anybody knows how to prepare himself for Wimbledon, it’s him.
“I don’t think if he plays this week or next week, in my opinion it wouldn’t matter for his preparations as long as he can prepare. If he can still play tennis in a week or so, I think he’ll be OK. So in that sense, it’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world for him.”
Evans plays Berrettini, the reigning Queen’s champion, in the first round on Tuesday.
Latest
-
WimbledonLeon Smith on Cameron Norrie’s tactical plan against Novak Djokovic
Cameron Norrie needs to take the challenge to defending champion Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
-
WimbledonRafael Nadal casts doubts over his Wimbledon future in honest press conference
Rafael Nadal has revealed his family were calling for him to quit in his Wimbledon quarter-final against Taylor Fritz.
-
WimbledonInjured Rafael Nadal stages incredible fightback to reach Wimbledon semis
Nadal struggled with an abdominal injury but booked a last-four clash with Nick Kyrgios by fighting back from two sets to one down.
-
WimbledonSimona Halep reaches new heights despite stuttering comeback
Simona Halep is now a far more complete player than when she won her first two Grand Slams.
-
WimbledonLook away: Nick Kyrgios will ruin your whole match and your game
The key to beating Nick Kyrgios is focus says Mats Wilander.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios stays in the hunt for Wimbledon glory with last eight triumph
The controversial Australian saw off Cristian Garin to reach his maiden grans slam semi-final.
-
WimbledonCameron Norrie’s great weapon is his fitness says coach
Facundo Lugones has coached Norrie for his whole career since they were team-mates at college in Texas.
-
WimbledonMaria Sharapova an ideal role model for Emma Raducanu
Former Wimbledon winner Bartoli believes there are many similarities between the two teenage champions.
-
WimbledonElena Rybakina becomes Kazakhstan’s first Wimbledon semi-finalist
Elena Rybakina dropped her first set of the Championships but reached a maiden semi-final in SW19.
-
WimbledonSimona Halep unbeaten in 12 at Wimbledon and semi-final beckons
The two-time grand-slam winner needed only 63 minutes to get past her American rival in the last eight.