- British tennis player Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open
- The British tennis player has only played at the French Open once, in 2020, within the last five years
- He wants to focus on Wimbledon
British tennis player Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open in an attempt to focus on 2023 Wimbledon Grand Slam.
After losing in the first round of clay tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid, the 36-year-old had second thoughts about competing in Roland Garros.
Murray won the Aix-en-Provence Challenger event after suffering two early exits at Masters 1000 competitions this year and everyone thought he would play at the French Open.
The British tennis player has only played at the French Open once, in 2020, within the last five years. Murray had earlier registered his optimism to play at the French Open for the first time since 2020.
Andy Murray. Photo/Sky NEws
However, he added that he would first consult with his staff before making a decision. He told The Guardian in an interview a few weeks ago that prioritizing things is how he manages his tennis calendar given the stage he is at in his career.
Wimbledon presents a better chance for him to win a fourth grand slam.
“It’s just what the right thing is to prioritise at this stage in my career. I trust my body now but I’m aware that my best chance of having a deep run is more likely to happen at Wimbledon,” he said.
With Murray being ranked 42nd in the world, the possibility that he won’t receive a Wimbledon seeding increases as a result of the withdrawal.
Murray is now anticipated to concentrate on the grass court season; on his itinerary is a match at Queen’s from June 19 to June 25.
Novak Djokovic defeated Murray in the French Open final of 2016, while Wawrinka ended his challenge in the Roland Garros semifinals in 2017.
In 2019, Murray underwent a career-saving hip resurfacing procedure which saw him fall to position 503 in the men’s rankings.
He has since battled his way back up to world No 42 in 2023 ATP rankings. At the beginning of the 2023 season, Murray played for eleven and a half hours in the Australian Open in January, beating Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, before losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
Murray now joins big names in tennis who will miss the French Open. Rafael Nadal is among the big names missing in action at the French Open.
Andy Murray. Photo/Sky Sports
Nadal withdrew from the French Open citing his physical fitness concern which has delayed his full recovery after picking an injury at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard announced on Thursday during a press conference that he will miss the French Open due to a yet-to-heal injury.
According to Nadal, 2024 will be his final season on the ATP tour. He said he will take an unspecified amount of time off and return for the Davis Cup at the end of the year.
It will be the first time Nadal will miss at Roland Garros since 2004. Wilander feels that without the Spaniard, it will be a dull tournament.
“The French Open is just not the same now that Rafael Nadal has decided not to play,” he told Eurosport.
He is optimistic that Nadal will return to Roland Garros in 2024 for a befitting farewell.
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