Andy Murray has withdrawn from Dubai next week with a wrist injury. There’s not a lot to be said beyond that really. Coupled with his first-round loss to Baghdatis in Rotterdam, it looks like we’re in for another post-AO final slump. To be honest, given the beating he took after showing up last year and losing to Tipsy, I don’t blame him for withdrawing.
On the other hand, maybe he does have a really serious wrist injury. You know, like a certain JMDP who shall remain unnamed. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the ABN AMRO 500 in Rotterdam next week, citing a shoulder injury which will reportedly prevent him from practicing for a week. He did, let’s recall, have that shoulder taped in Melbourne.
Any excuse for topless, bendy, victorious, gasping Nole …
Let’s hope it’s preventative and he just needs a little rest after his feats in Belgrade and Melbourne. Soderling and Murray are still in the Rotterdam draw.
Meanwhile, Novak has been being unbearably hot at a watch shop, or something. I don’t know. Does it matter? He looks hot.
There’s also a video of the visit, courtesy of Noleksa on twitter. If you can’t get enough Nole – and who can? – check it out.
Serena Williams cut her right foot on a piece of glass last week coming out of a restaurant. The injury will require surgery, apparently, and she’ll miss Istanbul, Toronto and Cincinnati in the lead-up to the US Open.
Not pictured: emotional distress.
Hope all goes well and she’s fully healthy for the US Open. Something tells me she will be.
Sad news: Elena Dementieva has been forced to pull out of Wimbledon after failing to recover from the calf strain that caused her to retire against Schiavone at Roland Garros.
This will be the first slam Demmy hasn’t appeared in since 1998. That’s 46 consecutive slams – and if anybody’s forgotten the potential she has to light it up whenever she’s in the draw, well …
Novak Djokovic was forced to retire against Filip Krajinovic in the quarterfinals of the Belgrade Open on Friday, and has now been forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open next week, putting his Roland Garros preparations in doubt.
Nole was suffering with allergies in Belgrade and obviously feels he’s in no shape to compete this week. Which basically sucks. Get better soon, Nole, we love you.
I have got to get back into Sunday blogging. Anyway, a bit quiet on the vaginal front until the weekend when the ladies will be battling through clouds of ash to Fed Cup it up, but lots of the boys have bravely made it to Barcelona, where judging from tonight’s news, they will now be stuck. Heigh ho.
Please note that this draw has not yet been adjusted to take account of today’s withdrawals; Rafa is out after saying that his body is telling him to rest, while Nalbandian has reportedly suffered a hamstring tear and Berdych is dealing with a right ankle injury. A speedy recovery to one and all. Especially one.
But it’s still a pretty good draw, boasting Soderling, Gonzalez and a full complement of Spaniards, including Boss. Should be fun.
Monday’s Results
Singles – First Round
[13] T Bellucci (BRA) d J Nieminen (FIN) 64 64
[15] N Almagro (ESP) d S Ventura (ESP) 61 62
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d [Q] C Rochus (BEL) 57 61 63
[WC] M Granollers (ESP) d L Kubot (POL) 64 63
R Gasquet (FRA) d I Andreev (RUS) 76(5) 64
J Hajek (CZE) d P Starace (ITA) 61 64
O Hernandez (ESP) d I Marchenko (UKR) 67(2) 62 64
S Greul (GER) d [Q] P Riba (ESP) 64 64
M Russell (USA) vs [Q] A Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) – postponed to Tuesday
T de Bakker (NED) d A Falla (COL) 61 60
E Schwank (ARG) d F Fognini (ITA) 61 63
J Chela (ARG) d [WC] F Krajinovic (SRB) 61 64
[Q] P Cuevas (URU) d H Zeballos (ARG) 76(2) 62
Doubles – First Round
L Hewitt (AUS) / M Knowles (BAH) d M Melo (BRA) / B Soares (BRA) 64 61
Former sweeties Dominika Cibulkova and Gael Monfils have withdrawn from their respective tournaments, adding to an impressive out-with-injury roster. Cibulkova remains troubled with a groin injury that prevents her playing Charleston, while La Monf apparently hurt his hand playing Davis Cup.
Why can’t these crazy kids just work it out? They’re clearly perfect for each other.
Just so you don’t think that the ATP are the only ones with rising injury numbers … Serena, Sharapova and defending champion Licky have all pulled out of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston next week. Serena’s knee, Maria’s bruised elbow and Sabine’s left ankle have all failed to recover.
