Murray Withdraws From Beijing To End 2018 Season

Former World No. 1 Andy Murray has withdrawn from next week's China Open due to an ankle injury. The 2016 champion, who reached the Shenzhen Open quarter-finals, will end his season after previously announcing his plans for the Beijing event to be his final tournament of the year.

The 31-year-old ends his 2018 campaign with a 7-5 record, following his long-awaited return to the ATP World Tour at the Fever-Tree Championships in June. Murray's appearance at The Queen's Club ended an 11-month absence, dating back to 2017 Wimbledon, due to a hip injury.

After undergoing hip surgery in January, Murray fell in three sets to Nick Kyrgios on his return to action at The Queen's Club. An encouraging straight-sets win over former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka at the Nature Valley International followed, before three hard-fought wins earned Murray his first quarter-final appearance of the season at the Citi Open. Murray showcased all of his fighting qualities in the U.S. capital, battling past Mackenzie McDonald, countryman Kyle Edmund and Marius Copil.

In what would prove to be his final event of the season, Murray showed signs of his best form at the Shenzhen Open to defeat top seed and defending champion David Goffin in straight sets. In the quarter-finals, Fernando Verdasco overcame Murray once again (also US Open) to advance to the final four.

Murray will open his 2019 campaign at the Brisbane International. He is a two-time champion at the season-opening event (2012 & 2013).