Defending champion Andy Murray out of Tokyo Olympics singles with injury

Two-time defending Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray withdrew on Sunday from the men’s singles tournament due to a muscle injury, Team GB said in a statement. 

FOR THE VERY BEST COVERAGE OF THE TOKYO OLYMPICS PLEASE VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Andy Murray, 34, will stay in Tokyo to play doubles with Joe Salisbury. The pair won their opening match of the competition on Saturday. 

“I am really disappointed at having to withdraw but the medical staff have advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe,” Murray said in a statement.

“The decision follows consultation with medical staff in relation to a quad strain,” it added.

READ | EXPERTS PREDICT SOUTH AFRICA WILL WIN FOUR MEDALS AT TOKYO OLYMPICS

The Scot was scratched from the order of play just hours before he was due to face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round. He was replaced in the draw by Australia’s Max Purcell.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is the only player to win two Olympics singles titles. He was bidding for a third successive gold following his victories at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

READ | WILL CHAD LE CLOS ADD TO RECORD OLYMPIC MEDAL HAUL? WHY THE SMART MONEY SAYS NO

Murray’s career has been blighted by injury in recent years, twice undergoing hip surgery since rising to world number one at the end of 2016.

He recently suffered his earliest Wimbledon exit in 16 years when he was knocked out in the third round by Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.

Murray and Salisbury will play Germany’s Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz for a spot in the Olympic men’s doubles quarter-finals after dumping out French second seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the first round.

READ | TOKYO OLYMPICS ROCKED BY DOUBLE WITHDRAWAL OF TOP GOLFERS