Murray withdraws from Indianapolis event

Andy Murray returns the ball to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London in this recent photo from July 2, 2008. Murray has withdrawn from next week's Indianapolis Tennis Championships to better prepare for the Olympics and the U.S. Open.

LONDON (Reuters) - British number one Andy Murray has withdrawn from next week's Indianapolis Tennis Championships to better prepare for the Olympics and the U.S. Open.

"Andy wants to take some rest and recharge his batteries before a very gruelling period including the Beijing Olympics," a spokesman said on his website (www.andymurray.com) on Friday.

The 21-year-old has returned to the world's top 10 after reaching the quarter-finals at this year's Wimbledon where he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Murray is still scheduled to play in the Toronto Masters which starts on July 21 but was quoted by the BBC saying:

"I'm playing less tournaments after Wimbledon because I have to make sure I have enough rest days and am not burnt out by the time I get to the U.S. Open. It's a tough stretch."

He added that playing in next month's Beijing Games was one of his main priorities this season.

"It's not just about the tennis, it's about being in such a great competition. Very few athletes get the chance to do it these days. If you're lucky you might get the chance... once in your career. To do it at 21 is great and I want to do well.

"It is an honour to represent your country and I am looking forward to it."

Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Italian Simone Bolelli have also pulled out of the Indianapolis event for personal reasons, while injuries have forced South Korean Lee Hyung-Taik (ankle) and Japan's Kei Nishikori (stomach muscle) to withdraw.

(Writing by Ken Ferris, editing by Greg Stutchbury)