Playing in his second-round match against Marcel Granollers in the 2013 Italian Open on Wednesday, Andy Murray was forced to retire from the contest due to lower back pain.
As Sports Illustrated initially reported, the 26-year-old is now listing himself as doubtful for the upcoming French Open. One of the four major Grand Slam championships during the course of the tennis season, the French Open is one of the most beloved events in the sport, as it is held each and every year at the famed Roland Garros in Paris, France.
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With the tournament set to begin on May 26, Murray is not optimistic he'll be able to play and notes that his main objective now is protecting his long-term career by taking proper care of his injury.
"I would be very surprised if I was playing in Paris," Murray told ESPN. "I need to make a plan as to what I do. I'll chat with the guys tonight and make a plan for the next few days then make a decision on Paris after the next five days. I want to make sure it goes away."
The 26-time tour champion also said that the injury has been hampering his performance since 2011.
Retiring from his match with Granollers after falling behind 4-1 and in obvious discomfort, Murray gave himself an extended time to heal as he awaits a final decision on whether or not he'll make the trip to Roland Garros.
Avoiding further injury by withdrawing, Granollers understands why Murray ended the match.
"He is a good player and he can do well in Roland Garros and if he has a problem then I can understand he is thinking of Paris," Marcel Granollers said according to ABC News. "I think he played better at the end of the second set but he knows his problem."
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Playing in six French Opens in his nine-year professional career, Murray's best finish at Roland Garros came in 2011, when he advanced to the semifinal round before losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal.
Winning his first career Grand Slam at the 2012 U.S. Open, the Glasgow, Scotland native has put together an extremely solid career. Murray has finished second in five Grand Slam Finals, including twice at the Australian Open in 2010 and 2013.
Outside of the U.S. Open championship, Andy Murray's proudest career moment came during the summer of 2012 when he won an Olympic gold medal representing Great Britain in men's singles action.
With the 2013 French Open approaching, the tennis superstar is solely focused on recovering sooner rather than later.
"I'll try and get home tonight or tomorrow," Murray said to FOX Sports. "But I also want to see if I can get treatment because sitting on the plane is not perfect."
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind Novak Djokovic, Murray will undoubtedly be one of the top 3 seeds at the 2013 French Open if he decides he's healthy enough to play.
WATCH The Match Point From Murray's Olympic Victory Over Roger Federer:
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