Andy Murray has officially withdrawn from the US Open after saying he needs to focus on his return to singles competition.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been expected to play in either the men’s or mixed doubles tournament at Flushing Meadows. Murray has played numerous doubles tournaments since starting his comeback from a second hip operation in June. This week was the first time since January he has played a competitive singles match at the Cincinnati Masters. Murray lost in the first round to Richard Gasquet.
Following his most recent loss, Murray has insisted that he wants to intensify his preparation for the singles tour. Speaking to Russell Fuller from BBC Sport on Thursday, Murray stated “doubles is done for me for the time being.”
“My goal is to get back playing at the level that I want to on the singles court, and I’ve decided that I need to focus all my energies on that right now,” he said.
“The US Open, doubles and mixed, can be another couple of weeks that you are slowing things down.”
Murray had previously been offered a wild card from the USTA to play singles at the US Open. However, he declined the invitation because he felt that he wasn’t fit enough to play best-of-five matches. Shortly after that decision, the British player admitted to having second thoughts and didn’t consider trying to enter the qualifying draw. Where the matches are best-of-three sets.
Missing the final grand slam of the season, Murray’s schedule during that period will see him travel to Winston-Salem next week and play in an ATP 250 event there. It is also possible that he could decide to enter a Challenger event during the US Open before embarking upon the Asian swing.
“It depends how Winston-Salem goes,” he said.
“The feeling I have had since my singles was that I played decent, but that physically between now and the end of the year I want to get matches in so that for the beginning of next year, I’m feeling ready.
“So if I do well in Winston-Salem, I’ll know my level is good enough and I’m ready to win matches at tour level, but if not it makes sense to drop down a level and maybe play some smaller tournaments.”
Before travelling to his next tournament, Murray still have doubles duty at the Cincinnati Masters. Paired up with Feliciano Lopez, the duo are through to the quarter-finals. In the last eight Murray will play his brother Jamie and Neal Skupski. It will be the first time the Murray brothers have played against each other since the 2015 Rogers Cup.
