Murray doubt for Wimbledon

Murray was forced to withdraw from the French Open after sustaining the injury to his wrist during his first round clash with Filippo Volandri at the Hamburg Masters. But the 20-year-old has so far declined to make any comment on the likelihood of his participation in the grass court season.

"It was an acute injury so he would have done one of two things," said Nick Goddard, an arthroscopy specialist at the Royal Free Hospital and St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in London.

"It was either a ligament in front of the wrist that he damaged and they can take two-three weeks and sometimes two-three months."

"From what I've read, it sounds like he's damaged the 'extensor carpi ulnaris' tendon, which is one of the big tendons on the back of the wrist on the little finger side.

"It is one of those tendons and its surroundings that are prone to be damaged on a mistimed forehand shot, generally with top spin, which Murray likes to apply."

Goddard also said that even if the injury was a relatively minor sprain, the main problem for Murray in the approach to Wimbledon, which begins in just over a month, would be a lack of match practice.

"If it's just a minor sprain, you can be back playing reasonably quickly but I would guess not really hitting hard for a good two to three weeks."

Pippa Davis