Andy Murray’s withdrawal from both the Monte Carlo and Munich tournaments next month brings to memory the challenges he faces in his recovery journey following ankle ligament injuries sustained while competing at the Miami Open, leaving the tennis world eagerly awaiting updates on his comeback timeline.
Earlier this year, Murray candidly revealed his intentions to limit his tennis career, expressing doubts about playing beyond the summer, citing fitness setbacks and a challenging quest to regain top form as factors contributing to his decision.
With two Wimbledon titles under his belt, Murray had been diligently preparing for an emotional farewell on the hallowed lawns of the All England Club, cherishing the prospect of one last memorable appearance, alongside aspirations to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris come July.
However, as the countdown to Wimbledon ticks away with just over three months remaining, Murray is confronted with the daunting task of achieving full fitness in a race against time.
The Scottish player disclosed that he experienced a total rupture of his anterior talofibular ligament and a nearly complete tear of his calcaneofibular ligament during his third-round match against Tomas Machac in Miami over the weekend.
“Following consultation with his team and medical experts, Andy Murray has decided to miss the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters and BMW Open Munich,” said a statement from Murray’s management team on Friday.
“At this stage, it is still not clear how long Andy will be out of action, and he is continuing to review options with his medical team.
“Obviously this is very disappointing news for Andy and he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.”
Time is of the essence for the two-time Olympic champion to secure a spot at the Paris Games. With direct entry into the Olympic men’s singles limited to the top 56 players in the ATP rankings by June 10, Murray faces a challenge as he currently ranks 62nd in the world.