Murray’s Debut May Be Delayed

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 25th November 2013

Murray’s Debut May Be Delayed

epa03666958 Andy Murray of Britain reacts after losing a point to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during their third round match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 18 April 2013. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER |

The pending return of Andy Murray to tennis has been delayed after organizers pulled the plug on a Caribbean exhibition due to have featured the Wimbledon champion at the end of the week. Murray will instead remain at his Miami training base as he slowly works his way back into shape after September back surgery.

The first edition of the Dream Cup event in Barbados was cancelled due to reported player pullouts and financial problems. Reports indicate that Richard Gasquet told officials he could not attend due to a back injury, and that withdrawal was apparently enough to topple the fragile event. The one-off was unique in offering stays at a local VIP villa in lieu of prize money, possibly not the best formula for attracting and keeping up player interest in the exho.

“Andy was ready to play and would have liked a couple of matches but it wasn’t possible due to circumstances beyond our control, his training has been going well,” reported London’s Daily Mail, with longstanding sources in the Murray camp.

The four-man event was to have been televised on the US on ESPN, but without the promised player field, clauses in the contract kicked in to negate the coverage. Murray, meanwhile, has yet to actually decide on his comeback program, with not even his Australian Open presence absolutely guaranteed.

The decision will not apparently be made for another few weeks, depending on how the Scot feels on court. Murray is due to reap a payday at the Abu Dhabi exho just after Christmas in the Gulf. While the first ATP event of the 2014 season from December 20 is reportedly holding a wild card spot for him in a field which already includes debutant Roger Federer.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp, Dream Cup, Espn, Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon