Londres -
The former world number one Andy Murray withdrew from participating this Sunday in the match for the third place of the exhibition tournament "Battle of the Brits", announced the British Tennis Federation (LTA) on Twitter.
The federation did not give any details, simply stating that the Scottish player was replaced by the English James Ward to face Cameron Norrie this afternoon in Roehampton, southwest of London.
This match, just like the final scheduled afterwards between Daniel Evans and Kyle Edmund, must be played behind closed doors due to the health context linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Murray, in the process of returning after a long absence due to injury, expressed his joy on Saturday for the "great step" taken this week towards his return to the highest level, despite his defeat in the semi-finals of this exhibition tournament against Evans (1-6, 6-3, 10-8).
Operated on the hip last year, the two-time Wimbledon winner (2013 and 2016), 33, was close to returning to the circuit when the pandemic interrupted all competition in March.
The 100% British exhibition tournament, organized by his brother Jamie Murray, was probably the last appearance of the former world number one before the resumption of ATP tournaments on August 14 in Washington.
When the season, greatly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resumes, "playing the Grand Slam tournaments will be my priority", the Scottish player had indicated last Monday. (D)