Britain’s Andy Murray has withdrawn from the French Open to prioritise the grass-court season within the build-up to Wimbledon.
Murray, 36, has solely performed at Roland Garros as soon as since 2017.
The three-time Grand Slam champion won the clay-court Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence in Might however has struggled for consistency on the floor.
The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the 12 months, takes place from 28 Might to 11 June.
Murray misplaced to long-time rival Stan Wawrinka in Bordeaux earlier this week and in addition had early exits on the ATP Tour occasions in Rome, Madrid and Monte Carlo.
He did, nonetheless, beat world quantity 17 Tommy Paul when he got here again from a set down in Aix-en-Provence in opposition to the American to safe his first clay-court title since 2016 and his first singles trophy for 4 years.
Murray stated earlier in Might that he was unsure about enjoying at Roland Garros, telling the Guardian: “It is simply what the best factor is to prioritise at this stage in my profession.
“I belief my physique now however I am conscious that my greatest likelihood of getting a deep run is extra prone to occur at Wimbledon.”
Murray is about to play within the Cinch Championships at Queen’s Membership, which takes place from 19-25 June.
The primary occasion of the British grass-court season would be the Surbiton Trophy from 4-11 June.
Murray reached the 2016 French Open last, when he was overwhelmed by Novak Djokovic, and reached the semi-finals the next 12 months, with Wawrinka ending his problem.
The Scot dropped to 503 within the males’s rankings after having career-saving hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 however has labored himself again as much as forty second on this planet.
In January’s Australian Open, he spent 10 and a half hours on courtroom in victories over Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, earlier than being overwhelmed within the third spherical by Roberto Bautista Agut.
Evaluation – Enjoying on grass thought-about greatest preparation for Wimbledon
Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent
Murray’s principal aim proper now could be Wimbledon – and if in any respect doable making an attempt to get himself seeded.
He’s presently ranked 42, and though solely the highest 32 might be seeded, just a few gamers will inevitably be lacking by way of harm.
By not enjoying at Roland Garros, Murray passes up the possibility for some important rating factors.
However the commerce off is that he’s now doubtless to have the ability to play within the Surbiton grass-court Challenger occasion which takes place within the second week of the French Open.
Murray has performed on clay in Madrid, Aix-en-Provence, Rome and Bordeaux prior to now month. Some relaxation and an early alternative to lace up his grass-court sneakers is now thought-about one of the best preparation for Wimbledon.
