Andy Murray, the 36-year-old tennis star, has made the decision to withdraw from this year’s French Open in order to focus on the grass-court season leading up to Wimbledon. Murray, who struggled to find his top form on clay in recent weeks, opted to prioritize a busy schedule of grass-court tournaments.
Earlier this year, Murray showcased his physical resilience by engaging in grueling matches at the Australian Open, proving that he was ready to take on the world’s best players. Despite notable victories over Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, he was ultimately eliminated by Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
However, Murray demonstrated his determination to revive his career after major hip surgery in 2018 by securing his first title at any level since 2019. He emerged victorious in the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence, defeating Tommy Paul in the final. Following early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, Murray faced disappointments in the Italian Open in Rome and another Challenger event in Bordeaux, where he encountered his old rival Stan Wawrinka.
Addressing concerns about his physical condition, Murray stated, “It’s not so much about [physical worries]. I trust that my body will be okay after what I did at the beginning of the year. I played back-to-back five-hour matches and did well physically in those matches. There’s no reason why that should necessarily be any different here.”
Despite withdrawing from the French Open, Murray remains optimistic about his physical capabilities and intends to focus on the upcoming grass-court tournaments, aiming to regain his competitive edge in preparation for Wimbledon.
