Murray’s Debut Is Delayed

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 23rd November 2013

Murray’s Debut Is Delayed

epa03686074 British tennis player Andy Murray in action during a training session for the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, central Spain, 03 May 2013. The Mutua Madrid Open Tournament will take place from 03 to 12 May. EPA/CHEMA MOYA |

Andy Murray’s scheduled comeback tournament after back surgery, the exhibition Dream Cup on the Caribbean island of Barbados, has been cancelled due to financial problems and player withdrawals.

The three days event was due to start in six days’ time on November 28 and Murray, who has been practicing at his customary Miami training base, was right on schedule in his rehabilitation and ready to make the short air trip to Barbados.

However Frenchman Richard Gasquet pulled out from the four-man tournament citing an elbow injury and there appears to have been issues with fulfilling the terms of the television contract, which stipulated a certain calibre of player to be in attendance.

Murray, Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro and Spain’s Nicolas Almagro were all contracted and ready to play but Gasquet, who contested the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals just a fortnight ago, revealed he was unfit. Given the short space of time available to find a replacement, it was decided cancellation was the only option.

A statement from the tournament said: “When notified of Richard Gasquet’s injury, attempts were immediately made to secure a replacement player of equal calibre, but unfortunately these were unsuccessful, as contingency players had already confirmed alternate plans at this late stage.”

Up until just a few days ago, Murray was unsure whether it would be too soon to step back on a competitive court after his back surgery in late September. But a statement in his management company 77 said: “Andy was ready to play.

“He would have liked a couple of matches but it wasn’t possible due to circumstances beyond our control, his training has been going well. For him it just means he can get a few more clear days’ work in Miami.”

Murray’s next appearance on court is planned to be against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, starting December 26. His ATP World Tour return is scheduled for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in nearby Doha the following week.

However, the world no.4 and Wimbledon champion has still to confirm he will be contesting the Australian Open which begins on January 13.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Atp, ATP World Tour Finals, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, Nicolas Almagro, Richard Gasquet, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News