Murray should have continued to play World Tour Finals through pain, says Federer

London, Nov 24(ANI): Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has told World No.3 Andy Murray that champions play and win even when they are injured or ill.

Federer's comment comes after Murray pulled out of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals to minimize the risk of aggravating his groin injury.

The 30-year-old also claimed that he was not always at the top of his game when he won a record-equalling five World Tour Finals titles.

"I've been unlucky towards the end of the season - I've had a back issue, I've had a quad issue. The year I beat David Ferrer at the Masters (2007), I had mononucleosis (glandular fever), but I came through that," the Daily Mirror quoted Federer, as saying.

"I guess I'm tough in taking hits as well with my body. I know how to handle them. My body, even if it's injured, can still play really well, whereas maybe other players, if they are injured, it doesn't work any more. But that's because I play offensively and I think that's an advantage too."

"Many matches in my career I've played hurt as well, but was able to somehow find a way to at least compete or sometimes even to win," he added.

Murray struggled through his first match at the season-ending O2 event against David Ferrer with the injury and decided that continuing to compete could seriously damage his chances at the Australian Open, beginning in 53 days time.

He will now take time out to sort the problem before heading out to Miami for pre-season training and then to Australia. (ANI)