World No.1 Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Miami Open due to a right elbow injury.

Tournament organisers announced the Scot's absence from the event that begins next week.

They issued a short statement from Murray, which read: "Sadly, due to a right elbow injury, I won't be playing in Miami.

"Apologies to the fans, it's one of my favourite tournaments. The focus now is on getting ready for the clay season."

The tournament, on its official Twitter page, stated: "We wish @andy_murray a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the court very soon."

Murray has made a mixed start to the year, after a stunning burst of five consecutive tournament wins at the end of 2016 saw him overtake Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings.

The 29-year-old lost to Djokovic in the Qatar Open final before making a surprise last-16 exit to Mischa Zverev at the Australian Open.

He recovered from that setback to take the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, before last week losing in the second round at Indian Wells to Canada's Vasek Pospisil.

Murray has won the Miami tournament twice, in 2009 and 2013. Djokovic has taken the title for five of the last six years, including the last three editions.

According to French newspaper Le Parisien, Djokovic is also a doubt for Miami, also due to a right elbow injury. The newspaper reports Djokovic travelled from Indian Wells to Monaco on Friday to have the injury assessed by his doctor.

The men's singles at the Miami tournament begins on Wednesday, with the event running to April 2.