One of Andy Murray’s former coaches has suggested that he should skip the French Open later this year in order to maximise his form in time for Wimbledon.
Alex Corretja believes the injury-stricken former world No.1 should be focusing on the grass season, which will get underway in June. Murray hasn’t played a match since the Davis Cup final last November due to bone bruising around the pelvic area. He has already pulled out of next week’s Rotterdam Open and it is unclear about when he will start his 2020 season.
“I don’t want to rush anything or put a timeline on my recovery, I’m going to listen to my body and step back on the court to compete when the time is right.” Murray said earlier this month.
It is the latest setback for Murray, who has also undergone two hip surgeries since 2018. Last year his career was given a revival after undergoing a hip resurfacing operation. A procedure that involves placing a metal rod into the joint.
In the wake of his setbacks, Corretja believes playing at Roland Garros might be a big ask due to the surface. Although he does think Murray should play other tournaments on the clay in order to build up his match fitness. Corretja, who is a two-time French Open finalist himself, was part of Murray’s team for three years between 2008-2011. He now works as a commentator for Eurosport.
“I really don’t know exactly how he feels now but clay, he should use it to get enough matches to be ready for grass.” The 45-year-old told The Press Association.
“Because if he skips the clay-court season, there is going to be such a long gap before the grass. And grass is only three weeks, so it is difficult to get the feeling of so many matches
“He needs to go thinking that those matches are the best preparation I could have to be ready for Wimbledon, and that’s the only thing he needs to know. The more matches he gets, the better, but he doesn’t need to get overcooked.”
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Murray has won just three titles on the clay so far in his career. Including two Masters events in Madrid (2015) and Rome (2016). He hasn’t played a competitive match on the surface since his semi-final loss to Stan Wawrinka at the 2017 French Open.
“He’s got experience and his body is suffering. If he will be playing so many matches, it won’t change anything, because for him to reach the semi-finals in Madrid or in another tournament, it’s not going to make any difference.” Corretja explained.
“But, if something’s going to make a difference for him, it’s to have a good tournament at Wimbledon. And that means to be healthy.”
Despite Murray’s misfortunes, Corretja believes he still has the ability to challenge the very best in the world on grass. It was at Wimbledon where he won his first grand slam title back in 2013. Last year Murray only played doubles at The All England Club as part of his comeback process from his second hip surgery. He reached the third round of the mixed doubles and the second round of the men’s.
“If he gets that kind of rhythm, he is going to be dangerous, because he knows the feeling and what it takes to win,” Corretja assessed.
“But it also depends on the draw, which is going to be a bit tricky for everyone because you don’t want to face him in the first rounds.
“It’s not going to be easy because, when you haven’t played for so long, to recover after long matches, best of five, it’s not easy.
“But I think whatever he will do in the future is going to be a gift. He’s done already everything that he wanted to.
“I remember speaking with him and he really told me when he started, he said, ‘I want to become number one, I want to win slams, I want to win Davis Cup, something that is for us nearly impossible’.
Murray, who won the European Open last October, is currently ranked 127th in the world rankings. The two-time Olympic champion has won 46 ATP titles so far in his career.
