Murray has reached the US Open final and two Australian Open finals

British number one Andy Murray has withdrawn from next week's Dubai Championships with a wrist problem.

The 23-year-old had intended to rest after losing in the final of the Australian Open last month but played in the Rotterdam Open a week later.

He lost in the first round to Marcos Baghdatis in Holland and his next scheduled match is in the Masters Series in Indian Wells in mid-March.

"Andy has withdrawn due to a wrist injury," Murray's website confirmed.

Murray, the world number five, played in Dubai last year after also reaching the final in Australia.

He was beaten by Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the second round and was criticised for revealing he had been underprepared for the tournament and had experimented with tactics.

Explaining his absence this year the statement on Murray's website continued: "Andy would like to apologise to both the tournament and its fans."

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