Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has been forced to withdraw from the ongoing Canadian Open due to an abdominal injury. The British tennis star was set to compete in the round of 16 against Jannik Sinner but had to pull out at the last minute.
Speaking to the disappointed crowd, Murray expressed his regret and apologized for letting them down. He admitted that situations like these are rare in his career and that he felt terrible about it.
This marks only the seventh walkover in Murray’s long and illustrious career. The 36-year-old, who has previously won the ATP Masters 1000 in Canada three times, including in 2009, 2010, and 2015, was particularly upset as this might be his last appearance in Toronto.
Murray was aiming to secure his first quarterfinal appearance at the event since his title-winning campaign in 2015, as well as his first Masters quarterfinal since his Paris triumph in 2016. Reflecting on the situation, he said, I don’t know, this might be my last time playing here as well. So to finish like this feels rubbish.
Despite his disappointment, Murray took the time to thank the Canadian fans for their unwavering support over the years, making sure to sign autographs before leaving the court. His withdrawal now paves the way for Sinner to progress to the quarterfinals, where he will face Gael Monfils.
Murray, who currently sits at No. 36 in the ATP Live Rankings, has seen a four-place rise due to his two wins earlier in the tournament. This is his highest ranking since 2018. The British player remains hopeful for a quick recovery, considering the upcoming Cincinnati and US Open tournaments.
Last year, Murray experienced a similar abdominal issue before Wimbledon, which caused him to miss the Queen’s Club tournament. However, he recovered in approximately 10-12 days and was able to participate in Wimbledon. Reflecting on his recovery process, Murray said, This is not as bad as that, but obviously the danger if you compete and play is you could make it worse. I’ll need to see how it develops over the coming days and hopefully feel better in a few days.
The news of Murray’s withdrawal will undoubtedly disappoint tennis fans who were eagerly anticipating his performances in the Canadian Open. Now, his focus will be on recovering swiftly in order to return to the court as soon as possible.
Sinner, on the other hand, will now have a chance to showcase his skills against Monfils and continue his impressive run in the tournament. As Murray hopes for a speedy recovery, fans across the tennis world will be eagerly awaiting his return to the game and hoping for many more memorable moments from the British tennis icon.
