Andy Murray Confirms Withdrawal From French Open 2007

Andy Murray gave fans a glimmer of hope earlier in the week but, as expected, confirmed yesterday that he would not be able to compete at Roland Garros.

This is the biggest blow in Murray's recent injury story as even a modest showing at the French Open would have cemented his place in the top ten.

As it is, Murray has slipped to 11 and his best chance of returning won't come until Queens on 11th June. Wimbledon (25 June) may be the priority, but Murray will be keen to get some match practice before the tournament begins. It would be a mistake to push for Queens at the expense of risking his health, but he also won't want to begin his third Wimbledon feeling rusty.

In 2006, Wimbledon marked the beginning of a series of impressive results so, unlike the majority of the last four months, Murray will have points to defend. He may only be a few points outside the top ten, but adding to his ranking score will only get harder as the year progresses.

But a tennis career is a marathon and not a sprint and only a fool would want Murray to spring back into action before the wrist is fully healed.

Patience then, is the key.

Source:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Murray pulls out of French Open

Open Letter to AndyMurray.com

If you agree with this letter, please either:

- Post a comment indicating your agreement.
- or link back to this blog post from your website or blog using the web address:

http://www.andymurraynews.com/2007/05/open-letter-to-andymurraycom.html

Thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------

An open letter - from the fans - to the editors at AndyMurray.com:

Yesterday you released some pictures of Andy Murray getting his cast fitted.

It's very pleasing to see the editors at AndyMurray.com providing the fans with the kind of news that we crave, but it fails to provide any additional information on the extent of the injury.

So far as we can tell, three days after the injury, the only information you have supplied is the interview with Andy Murray the day after the tragic event.

It is often a source of frustration that Andy Murray's official website can be so erratic in terms of the information provided.

On some days you provide some fascinating insights into the life and career of Andy Murray. At other times you appear to be in the dark.

A good example of this is during the recent period when Andy Murray sustained a back injury. We were desperate to know if the injury was serious and whether there was an estimated timeframe for his return to action.

It is right and proper that the media allows Murray a significant element of privacy but, when it comes to something as significant as his health - why keep us in the dark?

When - for example - a football player is injured it is usual to find out the extent of the injury, along with an estimate as to how long the player will be out, within hours. Whether the decision not to discuss the injury was strategy or an oversight, we don't know. But it is frustrating to be granted intimate details of Andy's relationships and family life, only to be kept in the dark on details significant to his tennis career.

In that instance, information about Murray's back injury was revealed by his brother in a blog post on the ATP website. Incredibly, you posted a link to this blog post, but you failed to mention that Jamie had just revealed the information that fans were dying to hear.

Had you not read the blog post you were linking to?

We hope so. Because the alternative is that you are out of touch with what the fans want.

The priority for fans of Andy Murray is that he gets everything that he needs to maximise his potential in his tennis career. If Andy is injured, then we hope that Murray gets what he needs to recover quickly.

But, if it is possible to keep the fans updated as to his recovery without jeopardising that, then please, please, please do what you can to accomodate us.

We don't want unfettered access.
We don't want Andy to feel trapped under the media spotlight.
And we don't want more information than Andy is comfortable in sharing.

All we want is regular updates on Andy's recovery from injury and some information to indicate when we can look forward to him returning to action. Preferably, that information should come through the official website rather than leaving us to trawl the internet for any snippets we can find.

The closer we get to the Wimbledon the more anxious we will get, wondering if Andy will be fit enough to play. You can relieve that anxiety by keeping us in the loop on Andy's return to fitness.

AndyMurray.com is a fantastic website with superb facilities and a superb community. All we ask is that a little more effort is put into making sure the REALLY important news gets through.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

The Fans of Andy Murray.

Andy Murray - Wrist Injury Update

The good news, is that it's not a fracture. The official word seems to be that Andy Murray suffered tendon damage during his match with Volandri at the Hamburg Masters Series on Tuesday.

It will probably require a pot while it heals which means, unfortunately, that it will be while before Murray can even return to the practice court.

There is virtually no chance that Murray will recover before the French Open (27 May), so the real race will be ensure a return to fitness before Wimbledon (25 June).

With only just over a month to go, it's going to be an anxious wait for Murray and his fans. The decision to play at Wimbledon probably won't be made until nearer the time and, as much as Murray will be desperate to play - especially with some serious ranking points to defend - the risk of long term damage to the wrist will have to be foremost in his mind.

As things stand I could cope with Andy missing the French Open and Wimbledon if it means securing long-term fitness. In terms of progress, Murray is way ahead of the curve and a temporary set back would not be the end of the world.

The last thing Murray needs is to develop a weakness in such a crucial part of the body.

Yes, I want to see Andy Murray back in action soon. But I also want to see Murray in action for many years to come.

Get well soon Andy.. but don't rush back for anyone or anything.

Sources:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Murray likely to miss French Open
AndyMurray.com - Andy’s injury update - interview

Andy Murray Retires With Wrist Injury - 1st Round - Hamburg Masters Series 2007

Andy Murray was 5-1 up and just cruising against Volandri until a wrist injury forced him to retire.

BBC Sport reports that Murray appeared to have injured his wrist after one shot and then after the next crumpled over in pain. The trainer strapped it, but after the next two points Murray could no longer continue.

This is desperately disappointing for Murray and his fans, especially considering that Murray had clearly regained his form quickly. The 1st serve percentage was just under 70% and he'd won three of his five break points.

This result will almost certainly see Murray slip out of the top ten, but the main concern now will be whether he can recover in time for the French Open. A back injury is one thing, a wrist injury is something else entirely. There'll be an anxious wait to find out the extent of injury.

We'll all be hoping for good news, but please, please, please - and this is a message for the PR people and the team at AndyMurray.com - don't leave us in the dark for as long as last time.

Source:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Injured Murray retires in Hamburg
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Gamewatch: Murray v Volandri

Andy Murray Vs Filippo Volandri - 1st Round - Hamburg Masters Series 2007

UPDATE: Murray and Volandri are second on court with play starting at 10am (UK time). So sometime after 11:30 am sounds about right.

The early start won't favour Murray, but I have a hunch that he'll be ready for this one. I'm not sure whether we're going to see Murray fired up as I think that only happens when he's playing against someone ranked highly. Murray will be confident, but it'll come down to whether he's focussed.

If he is, then he'll be patient and he'll win in straight sets. Anything less and we could be in for another 3 set match. And don't forget, Murray has only lost one match this year that has gone to 3 sets.

Sky Sports Extra should be showing the match live, otherwise the link to Live Score is at the address at the bottom of this post.

There's no risk of complacency for Andy Murray as he goes straight up against Volandri (34) in the first round - the player who reached the Semi-Final in Rome last week. Murray will know he has to start strongly if he is going to get 2007 back on track.

There's no sign of Murray or Volandri in today's schedule so it should be a Tuesday start for this match.

As with last week, the Hamburg Masters is a 56 player tournament with the top eight seeds getting a BYE to the 2nd round. Murray is seeded ninth so, again, just misses out on the BYE.

The draw is tough, but not unusually so for a Masters. Jose Acususo (32) could be the 2nd round opponent with Robredo (7) in the 3rd round.

Hewitt (22) Canas (20) and Davydenko (back up to 3 again) are potential Qtr-Final opponents, with Nadal (2) and Federer (1), Semi-final and Final match ups respectively.

So far, the extended absence through injury hasn't affected Murrays ranking. He has virtually no points to lose from this period last year and, thankfully, Haas (11) and Berdych (12) haven't been able to take advantage and make up the ground.

But, Murray did reach the second round in this tournament last year so could lose 30 points if he fails to defeat Volandri. Haas only has 5 points to defend so slipping out of the top ten - even temporarily - is the likely result if Murray doesn't bring his 'A' game tomorrow.

It's been a while since Murray has played a match with something valuable at stake - this will certainly be one to watch.

I'll post the order of play tomorrow morning.

Source:
Rome Masters Tennis - Official Site

Andy Murray - 1st Round Exit - Rome Masters Series 2007

The match was interrupted twice due to rain and both times it changed the tone of the match.

After losing the first set in 24 minutes, Murray was likely pleased with a short rain break. He came back strongly in the second set to win it 6-1.

Then came a three hour rain delay and Murray was broken twice as Simon went into a 4-0 lead. Murray broke back once, but couldn't prevent Simon from serving out the match. The final score 1-6 6-1 3-6.

Murray blamed a lack of match practice and after six weeks out with injury it's hard to argue against that. It's disappointing but the main thing, as previously stated, is that Murray played two hours without any reported injury problems.

Source:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Murray loses clay opener in Rome

Andy Murray Vs Gilles Simon - 1st Round - Rome Masters Series 2007

This is a 56 player Masters Series which means the top 8 seeds get a BYE to the 2nd round. Andy Murray is seeded 10th so just misses out.

The good news is that Murray will be out on court this afternoon and will, no doubt, be keen to get his clay court season up and running.

Before we look at the draw, a quick scan of the rankings list shows Murray 30 points behind James Blake in 9th place and 100 points behind Ivan Ljubicic in 8th. Murray has just five points to defend so a modest run in this tournament would still offer a healthy bump in points. Blake and Ljubicic, however, also only have 5 points to defend so it'll be worth keeping a close eye on their progress.

UK is 1 hour behind Rome, so play starts at midday with Murray and Gilles Simon (58) due out third. Some time after 3pm would be my guess. This match will be on Sky Sports Extra - otherwise you can find Live Score at http://www.internazionalibnlditalia.it/1/default.asp?LNG=EN

Simon made a good start early in the year by winning in Marseille in February - his ranking hitting a new high of 38. Since then, however, some early tournament exits have pushed his ranking back down to 58.

This is the first meeting between Murray and Simon and, while Murray will be favourite, this won't be an easy return after injury.

There are no easy draws in Masters Series tennis but, by recent standards, this is a slightly better draw for Murray. But only slightly.

Canas (21) or Melzer (32) await in the second round with Robredo (7) the likely opponent in the third.

After that comes Davydenko (4) (providing he doesn't have another meltdown) and then Nadal (2) or Djokovic (Up to 5 now!).

Federer (1) and Roddick (3) are in the other half of the draw, as are Blake (9) and Ljubicic (8) (see above) so Murray can only meet these players in the final.

Returning from injury is tricky and Murray could either be rusty or relaxed, rested and ready to take on the world. I'd be quite happy with a victory over Simon by any score to get Murray rolling again. But I'll settle for Murray coming through the match injury free.

Estoril Passes Andy Murray By

Andy Murray experienced some back twinges whilst training and concluded that the injury sustained during the doubles match in Monte Carlo needed more time to recover.

The Masters events in Rome (next week) and Hamburg (week after) are the next target. Murray only has 40 points in total to defend at these two tournaments, but losing those points could see Murray drop down a place or two in the rankings.

It's insignificant as one or two half decent performances would push Murray straight back into the top ten, but it could sway his decision to play sooner rather than later.

As much as I'm keen to see Murray back on court and as much as Rome and Hamburg are significant opportunities to gain ranking points, Wimbledon is more important. And it's less than two months away.

In other news, the GB Davis Cup team will play Croatia at Wimbledon in September. The grass will favour Murray and especially Henman as they look to defeat the likes of Ljubicic (8) and Ancic (14).

Sources:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | GB to face Croatia at Wimbledon
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Injured Murray will miss Estoril
AndyMurray.com - Andy out of Estoril…
AndyMurray.com - Davis Cup Venue Announced