- Murray’s last appearance on the surface was in the opening round of the French Open in 2020, when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in six games
- Murray, who has recovered from career-saving hip surgery, has previously stated that clay has worsened his injury problems
- The Scot has previously stated that he would skip the entire clay-court season, including the French Open, if he played on the dirt
- Murray was handed a high-profile first-round clash with former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who is working his way back from a long-term wrist injury
Andy Murray’s last clay court match was a humiliating defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open. So why return to the dirt?
Barry Cowan explains that conditions are very different in Madrid due to its altitude, and the Scot is a two-time champion in the Spanish capital.
Andy Murray . Photo/Sky Sports
Andy Murray has made a U-turn and will compete on clay again this week at the Madrid Open, but is it a risk worth taking for the two-time champion?
The Scot has previously stated that he would skip the entire clay-court season, including the French Open, if he played on the dirt.
So, what’s the deal with the change of mind? 81st in the world Murray understands that he needs more competitive action as he prepares for the grass-court season.
He last competed in late March, when he lost in the second round of the Miami Open to Daniil Medvedev.
He’s also curious about how his collaboration with Ivan Lendl is progressing since they reunited for the third time in March.
Murray, who has recovered from career-saving hip surgery, has previously stated that clay has worsened his injury problems
Murray’s last appearance on the surface was in the opening round of the French Open in 2020, when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in six games
Murray’s U-turn has taken tennis commentator and former British No. 3 Barry Cowan by surprise.
“It was something that I never thought would happen because of what happened the last time he played on clay. He was uncomfortable on it, in terms of his movement.
“He felt the transition from going to hard to clay and then back to the grass, which, let’s be honest, is the most important part of Andy Murray’s season, is making sure he’s fit for the grass,” he told Sky Sports.
“Having had that practice in Miami on the clay, he obviously felt his body was right. He obviously felt that playing in Madrid, getting a wildcard and playing some matches, is a positive.
“I thought that maybe if he felt he could play some matches that he could play at a Challenger on the hard.
Andy Murray will be playing Dominic Thiem (left) in the first round of the Madrid Open. Photo: Tennis USA
“I’m sure it’s not something he would have woke up and thought ‘I’m going to do it’. I’m sure it was something he would have thought about.
“But Madrid is so unique. The conditions are not like a clay-court as such. It is super, super quick. You only have to look at some of the players who have done well there over the years.
“It’s the type of place where John Isner likes to play and the type of place where Reilly Opelka could do some damage.
“If we go back to Indian Wells, Murray has not always played his best tennis in the desert compared to Miami because of the lighter conditions.
“Madrid is at altitude and Murray will go back to the fact that he has won that title before, but that’s on the back of playing a lot more matches.”
Murray was handed a high-profile first-round clash with former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who is working his way back from a long-term wrist injury.
It will be the first tournament featuring both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal since the French Open last year.
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