• ATP Tour

Murray fit for Queen's but Del Potro pulls out

Andy Murray is fit and looking forward to defending his AEGON Championships crown © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Murray ready to lean on Lendl
  
• News: Struggling Murray may skip Queen's
  
• Profile: Andy Murray

Andy Murray has allayed fears over his participation at the AEGON Championships, confirming he will be fit to defend his title at Queen's Club.

Murray revealed after his French Open exit to David Ferrer that he would consider pulling out of the grass-court event. The British No. 1 has been troubled by a back problem, and he said on Thursday that he would be open to the idea of heading directly into Wimbledon without a warm-up event.

"I will sit down and discuss this event [Queen's] and the best way to prepare," Murray said directly after his defeat to Ferrer. "It is not a disaster if I can't play a tournament before Wimbledon.

"I need to get some good physical work done and that will be important. It's about when that can be done - whether it's over the next five, six days before I play at Queen's or the four or five days I would have after Queen's before Wimbledon.

"Novak Djokovic didn't play before the Australian Open this year and I don't believe he played before Wimbledon last year. That is why I will need to speak to all the guys and discuss when the best time to start is. I probably could do with a day or two off as well."

However, Murray has now confirmed he will be present to defend his crown, which will be a relief to tournament organisers.

"It's great to be back on the grass at the Queen's Club today and I'm looking forward to the AEGON Championships next week," Murray said.

"It's meant a lot to win the title two out of the last three years and to do well here is always the best possible preparation for me in the lead-up to Wimbledon."

The tournament has suffered a blow, though, with the withdrawal of world No. 9 Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentinian has a knee problem, which he aggravated during his Roland Garros loss to Roger Federer.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to play in the AEGON Championships this year, but unfortunately I am not going to be fit enough," Del Potro said. "It is a fantastic event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament. I hope to be back again next year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.