Murray Explains His London Decision

Written by: Staff on 23rd November 2011

Murray Explains His London Decision

Britain's Andy Murray receives on court treatment from ATP physio Clay Sniteman before losing Group A match to David Ferrer of Spain during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at O2 Arena in London, Britain, 21 November 2011. EPA/ROGER PARKER |

Andy Murray maintained a fear that continuing to compete in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals could seriously damage his chances at the Australian Open, beginning in 53 days time, was the reason behind his decision to quit after playing just one match.

World no.3 Murray strained a muscle in his groin during on-court training nine days ago and suffered a recurrence in Monday’s straight sets loss to David Ferrer.

After lengthy consultations with his doctors, physiotherapist Andy Ireland and fitness trainer Matt Little, he decided that perseverance in the London 02 Arena based event, where he last year reached the semi-finals, would be unwise.

Murray said: “It might seem like a long time but the Australian Open is only six or seven weeks away. I could mess up my preparation for that. The off-season is so important to me and has been for the last few years, to get myself in shape.

“I would probably do myself more damage playing than not. Against David Ferrer I was really unhappy on the court, I wasn’t enjoying it. That’s why I felt really flat, really disappointed when I started to feel my groin again.”

Murray was specific about when he actually suffered the injury; a week last Monday as he had his first practice after returning from the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. “I was told to take a week or 10 days off, but I couldn’t do that,” he said. “On Sunday I stopped my practice early because I knew in my head I wasn’t right to play, but you always want to try.”

He was determined not to make a snap decision on the injury and planned a fitness test on court before making the final decision. But he after a night’s sleep, he realized there would be no miracle recovery. “When I came off the court on Monday, I was very disappointed and upset,” said Murray.

“I said we’d see how I feel when I woke today up but I was never going to feel great. You hope things are going to get better, but in reality that wasn’t ever going to happen.”

Murray is insistent the injury does not need surgery but said: “I woke up this morning still sore, came in and was going to hit. We chatted for about two hours – about when I was going to be practicing, what I should do, what the right thing to do was.

“I had some food, we spoke more about it. I was just trying to find reasons why I should try to play.

“But there was no real positive of coming out and playing because yesterday I was really unhappy on the court. I wasn’t enjoying it at all.

“This is one of the best tournaments in the year, one that me and all of the players look forward to playing. I couldn’t give anywhere near my best and that’s what was disappointing.”

Murray has been replaced by alternate Janko Tipsarevic and now hopes to be fit to contest the Brisbane International, beginning on January 1.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”