DAVID Ferrer has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to an elbow injury, a move with ramifications for Andy Murray.

The World No 7 and No 8 seed was a potential quarter final opponent for the Scot, assuming that he emerges strongest from a section of the draw which also includes his countryman Rafael Nadal. While the odds shortened on the first Murray-Nadal match-up at SW19 since 2011, Ferrer's place in the Wimbledon first round, against James Ward of Great Britain, went to lucky loser Luca Vanni of Italy. The Spaniard's withdrawal came too late to alter Novak Djokovic's draw, however. Had Ferrer withdrawn an hour earlier, prior to the release of Monday's order of play, Philipp Kohlscreiber would have been upgraded to No 32 seed, in all likelihood meaning he would have faced Ward rather than World No 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic. "Unfortunately I cannot play Wimbledon with an elbow injury," said Ferrer. "Will recover as soon as possible."