Andy Murray withdraws from the Olympic Games in singles due to an injury

The two-time defending Olympic Games champion Andy Murray will not seek the third straight title in Tokyo after withdrawing from the singles action due to a minor thigh strain. Andy should have played against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday. Still, he decided to skip the singles action and focus on the doubles draw, seeking the medal alongside Joe Salisbury. Murray had been upbeat about his chances after an excellent doubles victory with Joe Salisbury on Saturday but experienced tightness in his quad muscle and was advised to withdraw from the singles competition. Murray and Salisbury defeated the Roland Garros champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut to become the medal contenders. Andy has been dealing with injuries since 2017, losing the ATP throne and falling through the rankings.

After a couple of wins following the season's restart last August, Murray finished the year on a losing streak, working hard during the off-season and preparing for a fresh start in 2021. Andy tested positive for the coronavirus in January just before the trip to Australia for another setback, staying away from the court for a couple of weeks and entering the Biella Challenger, Montpellier and Rotterdam. The Briton had to withdraw from Miami due to a groin injury and skip the clay season, setting eyes on the grass swing. Andy lost in the second round at Queen's to Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, hoping for a better run at his beloved Wimbledon.

Andy Murray won't chase the third Olympic Games singles gold medal in Tokyo.

Competing in front of the home fans, Murray scored back-to-back Major wins for the first time since 2017, toppling Nikoloz Basilashvili and Oscar Otte to advance into the last 32. Andy had to work hard against the German, beating him in five sets and losing energy ahead of the following clash versus Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian won that one 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 17 minutes, fending off eight out of nine break chances and stealing Andy's serve six times to sail into the last 16. 

"I am really disappointed at having to withdraw, but the medical staff has advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe," Andy Murray said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Vcalzj