Andy Murray to skip French Open

He wants to focus on the grass season

By Web Desk
May 21, 2023
Murray was knocked out in the first round of the Italian Open — AFP

British tennis star Andy Murray has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open, according to The Independent.

The Scot has decided to skip the second grand slam of the year, after being unable to perform well on clay, and will focus on the grass-court schedule and especially Wimbledon.

Murray was knocked out in the first round of the Italian Open while also making an early exit at the hands of Stan Wawrinka during an ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux.

Murray, who is trying to get his career back on track after a major hip surgery in 2018, defeated Tommy Paul in the final of the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence earlier this month to clinch his first title in nearly four years.

Earlier, defending champion Rafael Nadal was also ruled out of the French Open after he was not able to regain full fitness from a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open in January.

The 14-times Roland Garros winner also said that 2024 could be the final year of his illustrious career.

"I'll look to be 100% ready for next year, which I believe will be the last year of my professional career," Nadal told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.

"I'll not establish a date for my return. I'll see how my body responds and take it from there ... if I can come back until the end of the year for the Davis Cup."

Nadal, who is also known as the ‘King of Clay’, has featured at Roland Garros every year since claiming the first of his men's record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005.

"If I keep playing at this moment, I don't think I can be there next year... to be able to play the tournaments that I want to say goodbye to those who have supported me,” Nadal said, who has a 112-3 win-loss record at the Roland Garros.

"The evolution of the injury I sustained in Australia has not gone as I would have liked. I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible.

"At this moment, I won't be able to be at Roland Garros. With what that tournament is for me, you can imagine how difficult it is."

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