Andy Murray Expects To Play In Toronto On Wednesday

Written by: Staff on 6th August 2012

Andy Murray Expects To Play In Toronto On Wednesday

epa03344171 Britain's Andy Murray celebrates with his medals and the Union Jack flag during the London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, 05 August 2012. Murray won gold in the men's singles and silver in the mixed doubles tennis finals. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Olympic champion Andy Murray has vowed to make the trans-Atlantic trip to Toronto Tuesday in a bid to play the Rogers Cup field after Roger Federer added his name to a lengthy list of withdrawals that already included the Spanish quartet of Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco as well as France’s Gael Monfils and Andy Roddick of the USA.

Murray will be seeded second and after a first round bye expects to be asked to play on Wednesday, just hours after his arrival. His probable opponent will be Canadian hero Milos Raonic.

“With Toronto, the plan is to go there and play,” said Murray after his Olympic final victory. “I was meant to be leaving London on Monday afternoon but due to media commitments tied in with the Olympics, it looks like I will leave on Tuesday now and then the first match will be Wednesday.”

Murray is mindful that all ATP World Tour 1000 Series events had a mandatory status and he will be fined if he joins the list of no-shows. “It’s not ideal but tennis has its rules,” said the Scot who won the Canadian title in 2009 and 2010. “I’ll be there for sure. Whether I play or not, I’ll have to see how my body feels.”

Roddick cited a shoulder injury while Nadal continues to suffer from the tendonitis in his knee that forced him to miss the Olympics. Federer is fit but issued a statement announcing he will not be playing the event he won in 2004 and 2006.

“I’m very disappointed that I have to withdraw from Toronto,” said Federer before playing Murray in the Olympic final. “After a long stretch of tournaments, I will need some time to recover. “Toronto, is a city I love and the Canadian fans are amazing. I have always enjoyed playing there, but after a long stretch of tournaments, I will need some time to recover. I look forward to coming back to Canada next year.”

Raonic bemoaned the way the Toronto field has been affected by the Olympics coming so quick on the heels of Wimbledon. “For myself, it makes the opportunities better,” said the Canadian. “But the way I want to compete and the things I want to achieve, I want to play against those guys and win against those guys. Those opportunities are missing and especially here, where I grew up and play well, it’s a little disappointing.”

The Canadian, seeded 16, who lost a marathon four-hour match to world no.6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Olympics, is scheduled to make his first appearance in prime time Tuesday. “Tennis is played all over the world and all of us have had moments with tight schedules,” Raonic said.

“I’ve only been on the tour two years, but I’ve gone back-to-back from San Jose to Memphis, which is nine hours of travel, and you deal with it. You try to get past those first few days and you know it’s just going to get better and better.”

Toronto tournament director Karl Hale expects Novak Djokovic and Murray will take their place in the draw. “I’m confident both players will be here,” he said. “I’ll take them at their word.

“With the Olympics, we knew that could be an issue. That’s why we added the byes for the nine-to-16 players and moved the men’s final to Sunday night. We did what we could, but it is a tough schedule for the players.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

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