Andy Murray apologized to the Canadian Open fans after retiring from the competition due to abdominal pain.
After defeating Max Purcell in the second round, the 36-year-old Briton was set to meet Italian seventh seed Jannik Sinner in the last 16.
He told the audience in Toronto, “I feel like I’ve let you down.”
“This could be my last time playing here,” Murray remarked. So finishing like this feels bad.”
Because the Canadian Open alternates between Toronto and Montreal, the men’s event will be held in Montreal next year.
Murray has only given up a walkover seven times in his career. Sinner goes to the quarterfinals, where he will face Gael Monfils of France on Friday.
Murray said in a statement that he experienced a “very similar issue” during a tournament in Stuttgart last year before Wimbledon, forcing him to skip the event at Queen’s Club.
“It took me about 10 to 12 days before I was feeling good again,” the three-time Grand Slam champion continued.
“This isn’t as bad, but obviously the danger is that competing and playing on it makes it worse.”
“So, I’ll have to wait and see how it progresses over the next few days, and hopefully I’ll feel better in a few days.” I sincerely apologise. Thank you very much.”
Murray’s preparations for the US Open, which begins on August 28 in New York, will be hampered by the abdominal issue.
Meanwhile, world number one Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming 15th seed Hubert Hurkacz.
The Wimbledon champion won 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 (7-3). He led 5-2 in the deciding set before squandering match opportunities to give Hurkacz of Poland a chance.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what happened,” the 20-year-old admitted. “I began to feel bad at that point.”
“The big players have that feeling of trying to find a way to stay alive and end the match playing well.”
Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam championship at the US Open in 2022, has a 14-match winning streak and will face American 12th seed Tommy Paul next.
