Former world No.1 Andy Murray gave up participating in the match for third place in the Battle of the Brits tournament on Sunday, the British Tennis Federation (LTA) announced on Twitter. The federation did not give further details, simply stating that the Scotsman was replaced by the Englishman James Ward to face Cameron Norrie in the early afternoon in Roehampton, in south-west London.
This match and the final scheduled between Daniel Evans and Kyle Edmund must take place behind closed doors due to the health context linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Murray, in the recovery phase after a long absence due to injury, was delighted on Saturday by the “big step” made 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 last year at hip level, the 33-year-old double winner of Wimbledon (2013 and 2016) was about to return to the circuit when the pandemic interrupted all competition in March.
The 100% British exhibition, organized by his brother Jamie Murray, was probably the last appearance of the former world No.1 before the resumption of ATP tournaments on August 14 in Washington. When the season, largely disrupted by the Covid-19, will resume, “playing the Grand Slam tournaments would be my priority,” said the Scot.
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