World Number 2 and a three-time Grand Slam champion, Andy Murray has pulled out of the year’s final Grand Slam, the US Open just two days before the start because of a persisting hip injury.
“It’s too sore for me to win the tournament, and ultimately that’s what I was here to try and do,” Murray said. “Unfortunately, I won’t be playing here this year.”
The hip injury has troubled him since the five-set thriller against Wawrinka in the semifinals at the French Open.
He has not played since he was ousted by Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, where his injury played a major factor in the defeat.
“I spoke to a number of specialists about it to get the best advice possible,” Murray said. “When you speak to a lot, there is different views and opinions on what the best thing to do is moving forward, and that’s a decision I’ll need to take now.”
Murray is the newest addition to the list of top players who will be missing the US Open this year.
Five of the world’s top 11 players will be missing the tournament which includes Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic.
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The Scot was uncertain when asked about whether he will be able to play for the remainder of the season.
“I want to be back on court as soon as I can,” Murray said. “If it means I can play before the end of the year, then that’s what I would love to do. I miss competing.”
Last year’s champion and runner-up, Wawrinka and Djokovic will not play this year because of knee and elbow injuries.
Roger Federer who is enjoying a fairy tale comeback is also having concerns with his back, though he said that he is feeling much better than he did a few days before.
There will be a reshuffle in the draw for the US Open as a consequence of Murray’s withdrawal. Marin Cilic and Alexander Zverev will now be the top seeds in the bottom half of the draw, while Federer and Nadal will be the highest seeds in the top half.
Andy Murray just lost his world No.1 title to Rafael Nadal some days back and him not being able to play in the US Open would see him fall further in the rankings.
The absence of such marquee players in this year’s US Open would surely strengthen the chances of victory for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who would be aiming for their third and second grand slam of the year respectively.
