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The three-match series, the first bilateral between the neighbours, will be played in Sharjah on March 24, 26 and 27
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Dubai Duty Free Tennis: Andy Murray pulls out due to hip injury
The former world number one has been battling the hip injury for the last few years
Andy Murray reacts during his final Qatar Open final against Daniil Medvedev. — Reuters
It was a shock withdrawal that not many Dubai tennis fans saw coming as former champion Andy Murray pulled out of this week’s Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships due to a hip injury that has dogged his career in recent years.
The ATP confirmed that up-and-coming Russian player Alexander Shevchenko will take the former world No 1 and three-time Grand Slam winner’s place in the draw.
“We regret to inform you that Andy Murray is unable to participate in this year’s tournament,” said Salah Tahlak, the Tournament Director and Joint COO of Dubai Duty Free in a statement.
“Andy has been dealing with a recurring hip injury that has unfortunately forced him out of Dubai. We wish Andy a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the court in Dubai soon.”
The Briton, who on Sunday lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Qatar Open, was set to play Hubert Hurkacz in the opening round at Dubai on Tuesday.
Murrary, 35, almost retired from the game last year following two major hip surgeries, but he fought back to gain full fitness and return to the tour where he did well to hold his own against some of the biggest names in the game.
“At my age and with some of the issues that I’ve got, I do have to be mindful of those things, and I can’t just keep going until something happens,” Murray said after the Qatar Open final which he lost in straight sets 6-4 6-4.
“I need to be a bit smarter with that. So I’ll chat with my team and see how I feel tomorrow. I’m flying to Dubai. Then, we’ll see where we go from there.”
With Murray’s exit the Dubai Duty Tennis Championships has lost one of its most popular players and the 2017 champion.
But the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, which got underway on Monday, has still got eight of the world's top 20 players, including 22-time Grand Slam winner and Murray's long-time rival, Novak Djokovic.
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