Montreal | Murray joins Rogers Cup exodus

The Rogers Cup is suffering from a series of serious withdrawals which could also have a bearing on the US Open draws in due course.

World No.1 Andy Murray is the latest to decide against playing so as to give his hip further time to heal in order to be able to compete in the last major of the season.

I am sad to be missing the tournament in Montreal because I have many great memories from my time in Canada. I am doing everything I can to return as quickly as possible Andy Murray

He is the third player from the top six to announce he won’t be making the trip to Canada and it follows an earlier announcement by Marin Cilic, the Wimbledon finalist, who needed more time for the abductor injury he picked up during that final, to recover.

Earlier than that, Stan Wawrinka, the world No.4, withdrew his entry because of a knee injury.

But that wasn’t all. In the women’s draw Maria Sharapova, who had received a wild card following her 15-month suspension for drug abuse, also announced she wouldn’t be participating. This follows her withdrawal just before the second round of this week’s Stanford Classic citing a sore arm as the problem which she says will not have cleared up in time for next week.

All three made statements apologizing for their decision.

Murray, who could be overtaken by Rafa Nadal as world No.1 should the Spaniard make the semi-finals in Montreal, said: “I am sad to be missing the tournament in Montreal because I have many great memories from my time in Canada. I am doing everything I can to return as quickly as possible.”

Cilic was equally apologetic: “Until the very last moment I was hoping that improvement concerning my injury will be good enough, but I am forced to withdraw,” while Sharapova declared: “I am so sorry to be missing the Rogers Cup this year. I am so appreciative to the tournament for the wild card and my fans in Toronto for their support.

“I am disappointed that injury is keeping me from the tennis court once again and I will work as hard as I can to return to the game I love as soon as possible.”