Andy Murray is set to miss Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final in France next month
GB captain Leon Smith has urged the world No 1 not to risk his long-term well-being by rushing his recovery from injury
ANDY MURRAY is set to miss Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final in France next month.
GB captain Leon Smith has urged the world No 1 not to risk his long-term well-being by rushing his recovery from an elbow injury and virus.
Murray arrived home yesterday after missing the Miami Open because of a problem with his right elbow and then contracting a flu-type illness.
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The Wimbledon champ, 29, will undergo tests and see specialists over the next couple of days to discover the extent of his injury. They will also work out a rehab programme to get him fit for the start of the clay-court season next month.
But although the Davis Cup clash will be held indoors on clay in Rouen from April 7-9, the chances of Muzza playing are remote.
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Smith, who stayed in Miami to watch potential members of the French team in action, said: “We don’t know the extent of the injury but Andy being injured makes it less likely he will play.
“I wouldn’t want him to rush back for the Davis Cup but we’re all hopeful he will play.
“First and foremost is his health. He’s played so much tennis in the last 12 months to get to where he is.
“There is much more than Davis Cup for him to look forward to over the rest of the year, not least three Grand Slams.”
With the clay-court season looming, France’s decision to stage the quarter-final on indoor clay increased the chances of Murray returning to the team after he missed the first-round victory in Canada.
But the tough time he had in America, where he lost early in Indian Wells before being struck down by injury and illness, has made his participation very unlikely.
Murray could yet choose to travel to France to practise and support the team.
He pulled out of last July’s quarter-final against Serbia but still flew to Belgrade to cheer Britain to victory.
The Brit had just won his second Wimbledon crown and was due at the Rio Olympics, where he successfully defended his men’s singles title.
These circumstances are different, however.
After enjoying the most successful clay-court campaign of his career last year, Muzza has a lot of points to defend in his battle to stay ahead of Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings.
The Scot has struggled for top form and fitness in 2017. He contracted shingles around the time of his shock fourth-round exit from the Australian Open before his recent setbacks.