Andy Murray Australian Open

Five-time finalist Andy Murray slumped out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle on Monday, losing to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Photo by Clive Brunskill/AFP

Andy Murray out of French Open enters Surbiton Trophy

Andy Murray’s withdrawal from the French Open will allow his to start his grass season early at the Surbiton Trophy.

Andy Murray Australian Open

Five-time finalist Andy Murray slumped out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle on Monday, losing to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Photo by Clive Brunskill/AFP

Popular British tennis star Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open.

Last month, the 36-year-old former world No 1 stated he wants another opportunity to play at the clay court Grand Slam while he is still fit and healthy. He has only made one appearance at Roland Garros since reaching the semi-finals in 2017.

Tough times on clay

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, lost in the first round at Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Bordeaux before taking the second-tier Aix-en-Provence Challenger Tour trophy earlier this month.

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The Scot, who advanced to the French Open final in 2016, has previously chosen to forgo competitions during the claycourt season in order to concentrate on the grasscourt swing leading up to Wimbledon.

He claimed in February that Wimbledon gave him the best chance of winning a Grand Slam.

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Between 28 May and 11 June 128 men do battle for the French Open title. Rafael Nadal, the current and 14-time French Open champion, withdrew as well after failing to fully recover from a hip ailment.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Matteo Berrettini of Italy will also be absent from Roland Garros with their respective injury problems.

According to reports, Murray has his sights set on competing in the Surbiton Trophy, which customarily opens the grass court season.

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Surbiton Trophy confirm Andy Murray entry

Andy Murray Wimbledon
Andy Murray plans to be back at Wimbledon next year despite suffering his earliest-ever loss at the All England Club. Photo: Twitter @Wimbledon

Surbiton trophy organisers issued a release confirming the entry of both Murray and rising British star Jack Draper.

“In the men’s draw the headline acts are Great Britain’s Andy Murray and Jack Draper.  

“Murray, a three-time major champion and former world No 1, returns to Surbiton for the first time since 2004 in decent form, having picked up a series of wins against Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov at his last event in Madrid,” a press release read.

“As the most successful player in Queen’s Club history and as the only Brit to win the Wimbledon men’s singles trophy in 77 years, second seed Murray will be looking to claim his first singles title on home soil since 2016.

“One of the brightest young talents in British tennis, Draper is certainly one to watch for fans at Surbiton this year. 

“The 20-year-old will be aiming for a fifth ATP Challenger title on the season having previously won in Forli (three titles) and St. Beiruc (one title).  

“Draper reached the quarter-finals at the cinch Championships last year and looks set for another strong summer grass court season.”

The Surbiton Trophy takes place between 4 and 11 June 2023.

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