LONDON: World number four Andy Murray confirmed he is fit to defend his Queen’s title next week after practising at the venue for the Wimbledon warm-up event in London on Saturday.
Murray struggled with a back injury at times during his French Open campaign, which ended with a quarter-final defeat against David Ferrer on Wednesday.
But the Scot is keen to get as much practice as possible on grass courts before Wimbledon, which starts on June 25, and he will put his back to the test at Queen’s, where he has won the title twice in the last three years.
“It’s great to be back on the grass at the Queen’s Club today and I’m looking forward to the tournament next week,” Murray said on Saturday.
“It’s meant a lot to win the title two out of the last three years and to do well here is always the best possible preparation for me in the lead-up to Wimbledon.”
Murray’s path to retaining the title was made a little easier on Saturday when Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, a quarter-finalist at this year’s French Open, withdrew from the tournament due to a knee injury.
“I am very disappointed not to be able to play at Queen’s this year, but unfortunately I am not going to be fit enough,” Del Potro said.
“It is a fantastic event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament. I hope to be back again next year.”
