Injured Murray major doubt for French Open

HAMBURG, May 15 (Reuters) Britain's Andy Murray could miss the French Open after he suffered tendon damage to his right wrist today, forcing him out of the Hamburg Masters on his 20th birthday.

''I always try to be optimistic and get back as soon as possible but I guess it's probably not looking great (for the French Open),'' the world number 10 said at a news conference after he had returned from hospital.

''But you never know,'' he added with a shrug. ''Maybe it'll heal overnight and I'll be okay to play.'' Murray said he felt something move inside his wrist while serving at 5-1 in the first set of his first round match against Italy's Filippo Volandri. When he hit another heavy forehand he dropped his racket in pain before walking to his seat at courtside, shaking his head.

His wrist was bandaged by a doctor and he returned to the court but he only managed a couple of points before he again dropped his racket in agony.

He went immediately to hospital for an MRI and he said he would wait for the full results and then consult several opinions before deciding on a recovery plan.

''I don't know how serious it is yet,'' he said. ''I'm certain I didn't break my wrist but I damaged the tendon pretty badly, I guess.'' ''I'll probably wear a cast for a few days.'' The French Open starts on May 27, while Wimbledon begins next month.

The injury-prone Murray has only completed one match on the Tour since reaching the semi-finals of the Miami Masters in March.

The latest injury was particularly frustrating as he was playing so well against Volandri, who will go on to face Jose Acasuso of Argentina.

''I was playing awesome,'' he said. ''It was my best match of the year.'' Reuters TB VV2342