Three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray is hoping that playing at the French Open will revive his form after a lacklustre past couple of months.
The world No.1 will enter next week’s French Open with one title to his name this season. Murray’s roller coaster 2017 has seen him suffer from a bout of the shingles and cope with a elbow injury. On the clay, he has won four out of the eight matches he has played. At the Barcelona Open he progressed to the semifinals, but has failed to reach the last eight at the last three Masters 1000 tournaments.
“The last two or three months have been tough. The start of the year was actually ok.” Murray reflected during an interview with Eurosport.
“It’s not been the best preparation in terms of my level coming in (to the French Open). I have to see what happens when the tournament starts.”
Murray’s wait-and-see approach is a risky one. The top seed at Roland Garros, he is set to be the underdog against nine-time champion Rafael Nadal. Then there is Novak Djokovic, who has enlisted the help of Andre Agassi to tackle his patchy form, and the unpredictable Stan Wawrinka.
“I think physically I’m getting there.” Said Murray. “Obviously anytime you have a slight injury or setback, it takes a little bit of time. You have to be patient.”
The challenge
In an ongoing quest to return to the form that saw him dominate the men’s tour during the second half of 2016. Murray aims to thrive upon the pressure of playing in a grand slam. Last year he became the first British male to reach a French Open final since Bunny Austin in 1937. So far the Brit has won 34 out of 43 matches played in the tournament throughout his career.
“I think for me anyway, the tournaments that get me the most excited and the most pumped for, are the slams.” He explained.
“Over the year’s I’ve generally found a way to play better tennis at the grand slams and I’m hoping that starts again and kicks me on for the rest of the year.”
Guiding the Brit will be the formidable Ivan Lendl, who was once Murray’s full time coach. The Czech oversaw the world No.1 during one of the most successful periods of his career. Between 2012-2014 Murray won two grand slam titles, four ATP trophies (Queen’s, Miami and Brisbane twice) and one Olympic gold medal.
Lendl’s inclusion into the team came earlier than expected following Murray’s below-par run on the clay. The aim isn’t to overhaul Murray’s game, but to provide a ‘fresh voice.’
“I think when things are going badly, getting a fresh voice and a fresh pair of eyes to watch your practices, to give you different advice, different views can help. I’m hoping that’s the case here (in Paris).” He said.
“He’s always been very helpful to me and a big additional to my team over the years. I had my best results when he has been part of my team.”
The French Open men’s draw will take place on Friday with play starting on Sunday.
