{"id":46407,"date":"2022-02-12T08:30:38","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=46407"},"modified":"2022-02-11T15:41:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T20:41:38","slug":"upbeat-murray-clay-season-french-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2022\/02\/12\/upbeat-murray-clay-season-french-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Upbeat Murray to Skip Clay Court Season and Miss the French Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andy Murray is in his best shape<\/a> since his hip surgery in 2019, and is now back into the Top 100 for the first time since May 2018. So why has he decided to announce that he is missing the entire clay court season<\/a> this year?<\/p>\n

Clay is undoubtedly Murray\u2019s weakest surface, with only three of his 46 career titles coming on clay. However, that doesn\u2019t mean the Scot isn\u2019t a very capable clay court player, with Murray making the final of the 2016 French Open, as well as winning Masters 1000 titles in both Rome and Madrid.<\/p>\n

Murray made it clear that this decision was purely about protecting his body, to enable him to have the best chance of a successful campaign on his preferred grass courts, which will begin in June. He stated<\/a>, \u201cThe past couple of years, the clay has made issues worse, last year I had some issues at the beginning of the year, the clay didn\u2019t help, so I\u2019ve spoken to my team about that and this year while I feel good and healthy, I don\u2019t want to take that risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andy Murray Skipping Clay Season<\/h3>\n

The former World #1 last played at Roland Garros in 2020, losing in the opening round to fellow Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, but Murray would not rule out a return to the bright orange courts in the future.<\/p>\n

It is not like skipping the clay court season is unheard of. Roger Federer has done this on numerous occasions<\/a> over recent years, missing four of the last six Grand Slams in Paris, to help extend the longevity of his career.<\/p>\n

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I decided early in my career, I could not play all segments of the tour and remain physically and mentally healthy. I skipped European Clay court season to remain fresh for the grass, my best surface. Wimbledon is Andy\u2019s best major surface for a deep run.<\/p>\n

— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) February 6, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n