Andy Murray is sidelining himself from the Cincinnati Open, aiming to recuperate from an abdominal injury ahead of the US Open set for the close of August. At 36, Murray previously opted out of the Canadian Open due to the same concern but remains optimistic about his readiness for the imminent Grand Slam. Initially, Murray journeyed to Cincinnati, anticipating a match against Karen Khachanov, but chose a last-minute withdrawal to safeguard his aspirations in New York.
Andy Murray has opted for an exit from the Cincinnati Open, still grappling with an abdominal setback.
The one-time world No. 1 is now carving out more recuperation time, eyeing a comeback for the US Open slated to start on August 28.
Last week, after his withdrawal from the Canadian Open with the identical ailment, Murray had landed in Cincinnati, intending to be match-ready against Karen Khachanov.
However, he’s chosen to sideline himself and will be succeeded by a standby contestant.
“Currently, I’m at the peak ranking since undergoing my hip surgery,” Murray commented in a discussion with the Guardian on Monday. “That’s an achievement I cherish.
“It feels like an eternity since that surgery. Climbing back to the global top 40 demanded relentless dedication and grind. Yet, I firmly believe I can scale even further before the year concludes.
“I’m convinced this isn’t my pinnacle. I envision elevating my rank even more.”
Rebounding from prolonged injury struggles, Murray’s form seems more refined than ever, standing toe-to-toe with the game’s elites.
In 2023, he boasts a 3-2 tally against those in the top-20, marking significant victories against world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon and another high-ranker, Taylor Fritz.
Though he faced a narrow setback to Fritz at the ATP 500 event in Washington, a mere month post his Wimbledon departure, Murray expressed contentment with his trajectory.
“Even after my Washington match loss to Fritz, I took solace in my gameplay and some strategic shots I’ve been honing. Usually, mastering new tactics demands time,” he noted.
“It’s common to train on specific aspects for weeks before they seamlessly integrate into play. However, my recent improvements settled in swiftly, which is uplifting.”
Now ranked 36th globally – a zenith he hasn’t touched since 2019 – Murray won’t find himself seeded for the US Open due to his Cincinnati absence.
In other news, Dan Evans, Murray’s compatriot, was poised to begin his Cincinnati stint against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the inaugural round on Monday, but nature’s downpour hindered the showdown.
Both Evans and Murray are enlisted for the Great Britain Davis Cup squad.
