After the tears, Murray withdraws from Washington Open

World
Europe

01:08

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray withdrew from the ATP Washington Open on Friday, citing fatigue after a 3 a.m. finish that left him crying into a towel.

The 31-year-old British star, who returned in June from an 11-month layoff with a right hip injury, also withdrew from next week's ATP Toronto Masters, citing the drain from three grueling three-set victories over more than eight hours on the US capital's hardcourts.

"I'm exhausted after playing so much over the last four days, having not competed on the hard courts for 18 months," Murray said.

"I also need to be careful and to listen to my body as I come back from a long-term injury."

Murray, whose last prior hardcourt appearance was in March 2017 at Indian Wells, played only two June grasscourt events in his comeback prior to coming to Washington, where he played three of the week's four longest matches.

"I've played quite a few matches this week in Washington and I need to be smart with my rest and recovery as I come back from injury," Murray said.

Andy Murray (R) shakes hands with Marius Copil of Romania after winning their match during Day Six of the Citi Open. /VCG Photo

The Scotsman, whose next US Open hardcourt tuneup event will be the Cincinnati Masters starting August 13, was upset following his 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romanian Marius Copil at having been forced to play from midnight to 3 a.m. – the latest finish in the Washington event's 50-year history.

"I don't think I should be put in a position like that," Murray said after the victory. "(My body) doesn't feel great right now. Finishing matches at three in the morning isn't good for anyone involved in the event, players, TV, fans, anyone. When you're expected to come back and perform the next day, I think that's unreasonable."

Murray had hinted in the pre-dawn hours that he might withdraw. In a statement subsequently released by the event, he expressed disappointment at being unable to continue in the tournament.

"I'm gutted not to be playing and I'd like to thank the tournament and all the fans," he said. "There are lots of positives to take from this week, so I'll take some time to rest and recover and then head to Cincinnati early to prepare and get ready."

After the match, a shattered-looking Murray wept into a towel for several minutes, saying it was "just the emotions coming at the end of an extremely long day and a long match."