By Erik Gudris / Wednesday, October 9, 2013

 

Andy Murray announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals in London as he continues to recover from recent back surgery.

Photo Credit: AP

Wimbledon champion and local favorite Andy Murray won't be competing in front of the home crowds in London at next month's ATP World Tour Finals.

The UK No. 1 announced his withdrawal from the season-ending event as he continues to recover from the back surgery he underwent last month.

"I'm really disappointed not to be playing this year, I love playing in front of my home crowd, it's a great atmosphere,” Murray said. “All the players look forward to competing in London and I'll be doing my best to qualify again for the tournament next year."
 
Murray, whose last match was a quarterfinal round loss to Stanislas Wawrinka at the US Open, is expected to focus on his recovery in time for next year's Australian Open.

Five Spots Left in Eight Man ATP Finals

With Murray's exit, that now leaves three spots still to be filled for the eight-man round robin tournament.

READ -- Battle for ATP Finals Heats Up in Shanghai

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer have already qualified. Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin del Potro, currently in fifth and sixth place in the points race, are expected to book their spots depending on their results in Shanghai this week.

Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Richard Gasquet and Milos Raonic are all battling in a four-man race for the last three slots. Gasquet lost Tuesday in his opening round match in Shanghai while Federer, Wawrinka and Raonic are still alive at the ATP 1000 event.

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