Murray schedule hints at French Open intentions forward of popcorn conflict

Andy Murray has taken a wildcard into this week’s Aix-en-Provence Challenger following his early exit in Madrid. The world No 52 is but to win a match on the clay this season and beforehand floated the concept of skipping the French Open. His choice to maintain taking part in on the floor signifies that he’ll need one other go at Roland Garros however issues gained’t get any simpler at Challenger stage with Murray drawing Gael Monfils.

Murray has suffered three successive first-round defeats at tournaments, two approaching the clay. After an “awful” loss in Monte Carlo final month he considered skipping the clay swing altogether however returned in Madrid and was extra optimistic regardless of crashing out within the opening spherical once more.

The former French Open finalist left the door open for a Roland Garros return after shedding to Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori. And he has now made his intentions for the clay swing clear by getting into a Challenger to attempt to get in some extra matches.

Murray is the fifth seed in a stacked draw on the Open Aix Provence Credit Agricole and will probably be trying to earn some victories on the grime forward of Rome and Roland Garros. But that would show to be a troublesome job because the Brit has drawn previous foe Monfils in a popcorn first-round battle.

The former world No 6 can also be a wildcard on the Challenger occasion and is constant his comeback from a foot harm he picked up on the finish of final 12 months. Monfils is understood for his flashy model of tennis and seems to be pals with everybody on the tour – together with Murray.

The pair launched a Twitch present titled ‘MuzzMonfATP’ throughout the 2020 ATP Finals, which was performed behind closed doorways throughout the Covid pandemic. They would preview and recap the matches on the season-ending finals, had particular visitor appearances from different gamers and managed to nab interviews with the winners on-site.