Andy Murray To Have MRI Today And Might Skip Paris

Written by: Staff on 17th May 2013

Andy Murray To Have MRI Today And Might Skip Paris

epa03701500 British tennis player Andy Murray (bottom) receives treatment during his second round match against Spain's Marcel Granollers at the Italian Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 15 May 2013. Murray retired from the match due to a hip injury. EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO |

Initial pessimism that Andy Murray would miss the upcoming French Open because of an injury to his lower back might have been rather a spur of the moment reaction after the world no.2’s withdrawal from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome but a full MRI scan the player will undergo today in London will be more definitive on the state of his fitness.

Murray, regularly a player prone to first fearing the worst and then being pleasantly surprised when things are revealed to be not quite so bad, is unlikely to make any decision about his participation at Roland Garros until early next week.

In fact the world no.2 could theoretically wait until the draw is made a week today but is committed to sponsor commitments in Paris next Wednesday. He will also want a long face-face evaluation of the situation with coach Ivan Lendl who to the surprise of many, opted to miss both last week’s Mutua Madrid Open and this week’s Masters 1000 series event at Rome’s Foro Italico.

However Murray’s mother Judy, who flew back from Rome to attend LTA promotional events in Scotland immediately after her son’s match, made no secret of his priorities. “Obviously the goal is to be in peak condition for Wimbledon,” said Judy, mindful that Andy suffered similar lower back problems during last year’s clay court season.

“It’s something to do with his back but the scan will let him see what the injury is and what needs to be done. Often you pick up niggles when you change surfaces. Each surface brings its own problems and challenges. This back issue has been rumbling for a week or so.”

The British Fed Cup captain, who still oversees her son’s career added: “It’s not so easy on the clay. There is a lot more twisting and turning. He needs to with Murray at New York’s Flushing Meadows (where the Serb lost) and Australia’s Melbourne Park (where he gained revenge) insisted he wants one of his biggest threats to be at Roland Garros.

“Andy is a great player and I hope he is fit to play,” Djokovic said. “But everyone is different and the Grand Slams are the most important events in our sport – that’s where you want to make your mark.

“Many occasions in my career where I didn’t feel well, I played, but I understand what a player feels when he struggles with injury. It is our worst enemy. You have to handle it the best way you can.”

Leon Smith, Britain’s Davis Cup captain said: “I think the problem for Andy is the repetition, the effect of playing on clay for several weeks at a stretch.

Britain has a Davis Cup World Group play-off against Croatia that will be contested on the clay of Umag in September and Murray has promised to Smith he will play. “I don’t think there will be any problem playing a one-off weekend on clay,” said the British captain.

“First and foremost my major concern is that Andy gets his body right. I’m pleased he stopped yesterday. That was the right thing to do.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, British tennis news, French Open, Internazionali BNL D'Italia, Roland Garros, Rome Masters, Sports, Tennis News