Andy Murray has pulled out of next month's Marseille Open tournament organisers said on Friday.
The former world number one has struggled to regain form since undergoing hip surgery last January. He was knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open by Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday having said the tournament could be his last as a professional.
Even if Murray does not have the operation, he has stated he would spend the time getting ready for a farewell appearance at Wimbledon, so it was no surprise to see a statement from Marseille announcing the Scot's withdrawal.
"Due to ongoing pain in the hip, Andy Murray may have to undergo surgery again and therefore playing the upcoming tournaments including Marseille was no longer an option," said the organisers.
"It's tough but I don't have a choice, I was very keen on returning to Marseille where I won the tournament in 2008. This title, one of the first of my career, remains a great memory," Murray added in the statement.
The 31-year-old will also miss tournaments he had committed to in Dubai and Montpellier, but Murray's management insisted he has not made a final decision about surgery.
