ANDY MURRAY will miss next week’s Davis Cup match in Glasgow and could potentially never play in Scotland again.
Murray was said to have agonised over the decision to miss the World Cup play-off with Uzbekistan which starts on September 14 at the Emirates Arena but knows more rehab following hip surgery in January is the priority.
The three time Grand Slam champion, 31, has enjoyed playing in Scotland in recent years but with the new look Davis Cup format reducing the potential amount of home ties in the future, the Dunblane star knows opportunities to play in front of his adoring public could be few and far between.
"I know he was really wanting to play some part of this tie but he has gone to do more rehab this week," GB skipper Leon Smith said in New York last night.
“He assessed where he’s at and the feeling is in the short term he focuses on the rehab work as much as there’s temptation to be involved.
“It was a massive pull for him and that’s why he was really considering it but after what he has gone through it’s absolutely clear that he has to listen to the team around him and that has to be his priority.
“I know it was not an easy decision.”
Murray looked to be getting back to his best during his four-set defeat to Fernando Verdasco in the second round here, but knows there’s much more work to do before being able to compete with the likes of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
Smith added: "He obviously fatigued towards the end of the last set but that’s understandable.
“There’s been that issue where he’s tried to come back, has a little bit a setback and I think that now he’s made such good strides that it’s absolutely right to keep following the path that’s been advised for him.
“As much as I’m disappointed and I’d love to see him there, it is absolutely the right move. Andy’s such a big draw in Glasgow.
"The noise that came out for that opening ceremony in 2015 after both Andy and Jamie hadn't played there for years was bonkers.
“He would have loved that one more time but it’s not to be.
"I can’t stress enough – he has to look after his body.”
British No.1 Kyle Edmund , who has been struggling with illness and fitness issues, won’t be in Scotland either but will play in the Laver Cup - a showpiece event between Europe and the rest of the world - the following week in Chicago, while Dan Evans is back in the squad for the first time since being banned for testing positive for cocaine.
TEAM: Cameron Norrie, Jay Clarke, Dan Evans, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot.
Tickets are still available at www.lta.org.uk/daviscup
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