TENNIS
Andy Murray withdraws from French Open to focus on Wimbledon
Briton joins Nadal, Berrettini, Cilic and Kyrgios in missing Roland Garros
Murray’s results at Masters 1000 level have been disappointing recently
ALEX PANTLING/GETTY IMAGES
Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open to focus on his preparations for Wimbledon. He joins Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini, Marin Cilic and Nick Kyrgios in being absent from the men’s singles in Paris.
Murray, 36, had earmarked a farewell appearance at Roland Garros as one of his aims for this season. He won a Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence, beating Tommy Paul, the world No 17, in the final, but at Masters 1000 level his results have been disappointing. He lost in the first round in Monte Carlo against Alex de Minaur, in Madrid against Andrea Vavassori, and in Rome against Fabio Fognini. Returning to the Challenger Tour in Bordeaux on Wednesday, he lost 6-3, 6-0 against Stan Wawrinka.
Murray has prioritised the hard and grass-court slams since his hip-resurfacing surgery
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER MARC ASPLAND
Doubts over his clay ambitions
