Andy Murray reveals new injury that raises big questions over clay court decision

Andy Murray’s decision to play this year’s clay court season was a big surprise after he damaged ankle ligaments at the Miami Open and now the decision is under scrutiny again after Murray revealed he is suffering from a recurring back problem.

Murray has pulled out of next week’s Surbiton Trophy after initially confirming he would enter the grass court ATP Challenger event in London, where he won the title last year. Yet Murray, beaten in the first round of the French Open by Stan Wawrinka on Sunday, stayed in Paris to play doubles with Dan Evans

After they were defeated in the first round on Friday, Murray revealed he was “struggling a little bit” with his back. The LTA announced on Saturday evening that Murray had withdrawn from Surbiton, with Murray saying: “Unfortunately I won’t be back to defend my title this year. It’s been a tough decision but one my team and I felt we needed to make.”

Murray’s back injury confession will raise questions over his decision to compete on clay courts over the last few weeks, with his best hope of success in his final year as a professional always likely to come on grass courts in June and July.

The two-time Wimbledon champion enjoyed success at ATP Challenger level when he won the titles at Surbiton and Nottingham last year, but he has decided to skip both of those events this time to play in the ATP Tour event in Stuttgart instead.

He will then move on to the high-quality ATP Tour 500 tournament at the Queen’s Club later this month, where he will be unseeded and is likely to come up against a top quality opponent in the opening ground.