Just an hour before his round of 16 clash against Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray has pulled out of the Madrid Open 2022 due to illness.
Earlier on Thursday, British tennis star Andy Murray announced that he was withdrawing from the Madrid Open 2022 due to illness. The 34-year-old was set to face World No.1, Novak Djokovic, in a highly-anticipated round of 16 clash but tennis fans will now be deprived of watching the two superstars battle it out on clay.
Andy Murray pulls out of Madrid Open 2022 ahead of Novak Djokovic encounter
Murray began his Madrid Open campaign this year by beating Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4 in the round of 64. He then recorded a win in three sets over Dennis Shapovalov in the following round.
This set up a mouthwatering clash against Novak Djokovic on Thursday at the Manolo Santana Stadium. However, just a few hours before the last 16 battle, Murray pulled out of the tournament due to illness. Organizers at the event confirmed Murray’s absence for the game on Thursday.
Had Murray been fit enough to play, it would have been the 37th time he faced Djokovic in his career. It would also have been the first time the two tennis greats squared off in over five years. Djokovic leads the head to head stats between the two players with 25 wins over Murray.
Fans on social media were also quick to send in their get well soon wishes to the three-time Grand Slam winner. It also meant that Novak Djokovic would receive a free ticket to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.
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