Former world No.1 Andy Murray has announced that he will end his season early in order to achieve the ‘best possible shape’ for next year.
Murray, who is currently ranked 308th in the world, made the announcement in a Facebook video posted on Saturday. He will play tournaments in Shenzhen and Beijing before drawing his season to a close. Meaning that he will miss the final two Masters 1000 tournaments of the year in Shanghai and Paris.
“I am competing this week in Shenzhen and then next week in Beijing before calling an end to the year competitively.” Confirmed Murray.
“I am going to miss the last couple of tournaments of the year because I have decided with my team that I need a long period of training and reconditioning. To get myself in the best shape possible for the 2019 season. Get myself back competing at the best tournaments again.”
The decision has been made less than four months after Murray returned to the tour following a 11-month injury lay-off due to his hip. In January the Brit underwent surgery to treat the problem. Since returning, Murray has played in five tournaments with his best run being to the quarter-final of the Washington Open last month. At the US Open the three-time grand slam champion defeated James Duckworth before falling to Fernando Verdasco in the second round.
“I am looking forward to getting some hard training done and making some improvements.” He said.
“It has been really positive the last few months. I feel like I have made big strides forward from my rehab with the hip surgery. I feel like with another strong training period I’ll make some big improvements.”
“Hopefully, the next couple of weeks go well in China, looking forward to it.” He added.
Murray is currently in China preparing for the upcoming Shenzhen Open. A tournament he won back in 2014. On the same day of the announcement, the 31-year-old found out who he will play in the first round of the tournament. He will open up against wild card entrant Zhang Zhizhen. Should he win, he will take on top seed David Goffin. Goffin has a first round bye.
So far this year, Murray has won five out of nine matches played.
