Fourth-ranked Andy Murray pulled out of the Barcelona Open on Tuesday because of an elbow injury.
The British player needed a cortisone injection for the injury ahead of a Monte Carlo Masters semifinal defeat by Rafael Nadal on Saturday, but still traveled to the Catalan capital with hopes of competing.
Murray, seeded No. 2 behind top-ranked Nadal, trained on Tuesday but looked in obvious discomfort before confirming his exit.
''Under advice from the medical experts I have had to withdraw from the Barcelona tournament due to right elbow injury,'' Murray said. ''I'm going to take four-five days rest and begin practicing at the start of next week.''
Murray would have played 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.
Murray has endured a poor run of results and now luck since losing the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic in January.
The 23-year-old exited tournaments at Rotterdam, Indian Wells and Miami in the first round before losing in three sets to Nadal in Monte Carlo.
Seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych also pulled out earlier Tuesday with a stomach virus.
