LONDON -- Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has pulled out of next month's season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London as he recovers from back surgery.
The third-ranked Murray says in a statement on the ATP website that "I'm really disappointed not to be playing this year. I love playing in front of my home crowd."
Murray had an operation on his long-standing back problem last month and was always expected to miss the Nov. 4-11 event, which features the world's top eight singles players.
Murray played in the last five ATP finals and reached the semifinals twice.
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer are the three players who have qualified with four weeks remaining in the season.