Andy Murray pulled out of the French Open due to a back injury which forced his withdrawal from the Rome Masters, while doubts still remain over his availability for his home Grand Slam Wimbledon.
After consultation with doctors the world number two decided playing at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the year which starts next week, would not be possible.
"It's a really tough decision," Murray said Tuesday. "I love playing in Paris but, after seeking medical advice, I am not fit to compete.
"Apologies to the organisers. Thanks to everyone for the messages of support. Now my complete focus is on getting back on the court as soon as possible."
Murray hopes to return for the Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen's in the second week of June before hopefully looking to go one better at Wimbledon, which starts on June 24.
However, if the back does not heal as soon as expected, the Scot might miss out on playing in his favorite Grand Slam.
Murray, who won his first Grand Slam title at the U.S Open last year, is not one of the favorites for the French Open, with clay being his least favored surface. The 26-year-old has only once gone past the quarterfinal stage, in 2011, when he reached the semifinals.
The same back problem flared up in last year's French Open, with the Scot battling through via painkillers before being knocked out in the quarterfinals.
"The French (Open) is incredibly physical as well," Murray said. "You need to be 100 percent for that. It's come at a tough time.
"There's not one thing that makes it feel much better. Some days are better than others. In the last couple of years it's been the biggest issue for me. The quicker courts help, the lower bounces, a bit more pace off the surface, that helps."
Murray withdrew midway through the match against Marcel Granollers in the Rome Masters last week, and the Scot explained the reasons behind the decision.
"You can have the injections," Murray said. "They can help a bit with pain and they can take some of the inflammation away, but that also didn't make me feel 100 percent, and I want to feel 100 percent.
"Every player has a surface that he finds more natural than the others. It takes time to feel the body after playing on a hard court because the joints suffer more. Clay is not a surface I grew up on. It's natural to spend more time (getting used to it) and it takes me a few weeks.
"I was obviously in a bit of pain -- and had the same sort of thing in Madrid and a few days afterwards, so I took a few days off after that. Then I had a hit here, played some points and was feeling OK, a little bit better, but it's still sore."
Murray's withdrawal means tennis fans will have to witness yet another Grand Slam without the big-four - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Murray - in action together, after Nadal missed the previous two Grand Slams - the U.S. Open and the Australian Open due to a knee injury.
