Rome, Italy, 16 May 2013 | AFP

World No.2 Andy Murray admitted on Wednesday he might miss the French Open with a a long-term back injury forcing him to quit the Rome Masters.

“I’d be very surprised if I was playing in Paris,” a subdued Murray said after a second-round retirement, handing a 6-3 6-7(5) ret. win to Spain’s Marcel Granollers.

Murray, celebrating his 26th birthday, said pain in his lower left back, which has bothered him since late 2011, has been flaring recently.

“I felt pain today – the same as in Madrid. I hit yesterday and played some points. But I was still sore today,” added Murray, with the French Open due to start on 26 May.

Murray said the back problem is the same one which required a painkilling injection to play Roland Garros in 2012 where he reached the quarterfinals.

“We will have to wait and see on Paris. I’ll try to make a decision after the next five days or so. I need some days off for it to hopefully settle down.

“I don’t want to go into details, but I’ve got a disc problem – it changes week to week.”

Murray was joined on the sidelines in Rome by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz clinching a 6-4 7-6(5) win over the eighth seed.