Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Madrid Open, citing an illness. Alter Photos

Andy Murray withdraws from Madrid Open ahead of matchup vs. Novak Djokovic

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/5/22

As Rafael Nadal has returned , Andy Murray has departed, just ahead of his highly-anticipated round of 16 matchup against Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open.

Murray has withdrawn from the event, citing an illness, according to an ESPN report. The 34-year-old Murray was slated to take on Djokovic on Thursday morning for the 37th time.

Unfortunately, Andy Murray is unable to take to the Manolo Santana Stadium due to illness

We wish you a speedy recovery, @andy_murray!

️ Instead, Andrey Rublev and Daniel Evans will open the day's play on centre court. pic.twitter.com/0QdLyh7qhl
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 5, 2022

The three-time major winner from Scotland had earlier said he would skip the clay-court season in order to protect his fitness, but he eventually accepted a late wild card in Madrid and beat Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov in his first two matches.

Djokovic will next face the winner of Hubert Hurkacz vs. Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals.

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