Former Roland Garros finalist Andy Murray will skip the clay Major for the fifth time in the previous six years! Andy had bittersweet results on the slowest surface this spring, and he wants to bypass the best-of-five action on it and preserve his body for his favorite grass swing. Thus, Andy joins Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini, Marin Cilic and Nick Kyrgios as the most notable names who withdrew from Roland Garros. Murray’s best results in Paris came between 2011 and 2017, reaching one final and four semi-finals. In his last notable run six years ago, Andy fell to Stan Wawrinka in a thrilling semi-final after four and a half hours, missing his last opportunity to fight for a missing Major crown. Murray is currently ranked 42nd, his best ranking in years, and he is hoping for more during the grass swing in Surbiton, Queen’s and Wimbledon.
The Briton entered Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome this spring, entering all three clay-court Masters 1000 events for the first time in years. However, he experienced early losses and saved his run on the slowest surface after winning 175 Challenger in Aix-En-Provence. Andy met world no. 17 Tommy Paul in the final and scored a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 triumph in an hour and 54 minutes in his first clay-court Challenger since Dresden 2005! Paul made an ideal start and looked good to seal the deal in straight sets. However, Murray made a fresh start in set number two and left the rival behind with a rock-solid performance.
Andy Murray will not compete at the upcoming Roland Garros.
The Briton served at 48% but drew the most from that. He defended his second serve nicely and got broken two times from three chances offered to the American. Paul created no break chance after the opening set and could not follow that pace in his service games to settle for the runner-up prize. Murray experienced an early loss in Rome and traveled to Bordeaux, seeking another 175 Challenger title. However, Andy won only one game against his old rival Stan Wawrinka, saying he had enough time on clay. Focusing on grass, we should see Andy in the Surbiton Challenger in the second week of Roland Garros.
“It’s just what the right thing is to prioritize 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,” Andy Murray said.