Murray Decides on Surgery

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Andy Murray is unlikely to play again this season after deciding to undergo surgery on a long-standing back injury.

The 26-year-old has a disc problem in his lower back and is set to miss this year's remaining tour events, including November's World Tour Finals in London.

The injury flared up in May, forcing him to withdraw from the French Open.

He returned in July and was the first Briton to win Wimbledon since 1936, but has struggled back on the hard courts and lost in the US Open quarter-finals.

The disc problem, which Murray has suffered for two years, affects a nerve in his lower back which can send pain shooting down his hip and upper leg.

It appears to cause him more problems when he plays on clay and the harder surfaces than on grass courts.

He had pain-killing injections before the 2012 French Open and withdrew from this year's Rome Masters midway through a match against Marcel Granollers. After consulting medical advice, he decided he would not be fit for Roland Garros.

There were signs of discomfort at the US Open, but he only took the decision to have surgery after last weekend's Davis Cup tie on clay in Croatia. He admitted his back was sore after last Friday's opening singles victory over Borna Coric.

Murray had been scheduled to play three more events in Asia this season, including the Shanghai Masters, then the Paris Masters before heading to the World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena from 4-11 November.

There is no suggestion that next year's schedule will be affected and it is hoped he will kick off his regular pre-season training block in Miami in the middle of November.

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Nadal Withdraws from Paris Masters

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Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London because of his left knee problem.

The announcement is not a surprise, with the world number four having not played since his shock second-round loss to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June.

Nadal missed the Olympics and the US Open after revealing he had a partial tear in his patella tendon, and it was always unlikely he would return during the indoor hard-court season, his least favourite surface.

The 26-year-old said: "It's disappointing for me to miss the last two tournaments of the season in Paris and London, but it doesn't come as a surprise.

"I will hopefully resume my tennis practice soon since I am making good progress with my recovery from injury.

"I am not ready to compete in time for these events so I will continue my recovery in Mallorca and work hard to be back as soon as possible."

Nadal's absence is nevertheless a blow to the World Tour Finals, which begin at London's O2 Arena in a week and a half's time and feature the best eight players of the season.

The player ninth in the list when qualification ends following next week's tournament in Paris will now take Nadal's place, with Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic currently occupying that spot.

Brad Drewett, ATP executive chairman and president, said on http://www.atpworldtour.com: "We wish Rafa all the best as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.

"Rafa is an incredible champion and it goes without saying that he has been missed on the ATP World Tour over the past few months. We look forward to welcoming him back on the tour very soon."

Nadal is now likely to return to action at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi at the end of December as part of his preparations for the Australian Open.

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Djokovic Withdraws From BNP Paribas

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to a shoulder injury - and apologised to fans who bought tickets to watch him play.

World number one Djokovic was due to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after defeating fellow Serbian Viktor Troicki.

But Djokovic has pulled out after complaining of a sore shoulder.

"I am very sorry for all of you who bought tickets and wanted to come and watch me play," said Djokovic on Twitter.

Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal in six finals during the season

Djokovic, 24, has enjoyed a stunning year, winning three Grand Slam titles - the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open - as well as reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.

And he is due to play in one more tournament - the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London from 20 November which feature the world's top eight players, including Andy Murray, and a prize fund in excess of £2.5m.

Djokovic, who has already earned more than £6.9m in prize money this year and picked up a £1m bonus by competing in Paris said: "My season has been long and tiring, I played all of my matches at my highest level, and now my body is aching for recovery.

"I have pushed myself to the limit by playing and, after the match yesterday, my shoulder got worse.

"For this reason, I have to put my health first and withdraw - even though my urges as a professional player are making me want to play until the last drop of energy."