A change of plan for Murray ?

Andy Murray hasn't ruled out skipping his traditional Wimbledon warm-up duties if it helps him capture a first Grand Slam title and give Britain's demanding media the slip.

World No 4 Murray saw his latest hopes of becoming Britain's first Grand Slam men's singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936 crushed by David Ferrer in the French Open quarterfinals.

Defeat ended the 25-year-old's run of five consecutive semifinal appearances at the majors, leaving him to fend off fresh questions over his ability to win Wimbledon, the next Grand Slam stop.

For the past four years, Murray has played the Queen's Club tournament, often seen as a mandatory feeding station for Wimbledon in the short four-week grasscourt season.

But that may change this summer for Murray, who is still battling a niggling back injury.

AFP

(China Daily 06/08/2012 page24)