LONDON - British former world No 1 Andy Murray announced on Monday that he has to withdraw from the Cinch Championships held at the Queen's Club in London due to an abdominal injury.

The 35-year-old tennis ace was expected to attend a pre-match press conference at the Queen's Club Monday afternoon but failed to show up.

Then the organizers sent a media release announcing Murray's withdrawal from the annual grass-court tournament ahead of the Wimbledon Championships.

"After having a scan this afternoon, an abdominal injury means I won't be fit to compete at Queen's this year," revealed Murray, who lost to Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the Stuttgart Open final last Sunday and looked struggling with an abdominal problem in the third set.

"The tournament means a lot to me, and it's disappointing not to compete, especially after playing some good matches on the grass already," said the three-time Grand Slam champion and five-time Queen's winner.

In the opening competition day on Monday, wild card player Jack Draper of Britain beat No.4 seed Taylor Fritz from the United States 6-3, 6-2.

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov came from one set down to outplay British third seed Cameron Norrie 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-4.

This year's French Open semifinalist Marin Cilic from Croatia edged Liam Broady of Britain 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.