Andy Murray's run to Wimbledon as he dissects French Open record - 'most players would sign up'

The Scot will play doubles and then prepare for grass-court swing

Andy Murray’s 2024 French Open campaign came to an end on Sunday night after losing in straight sets to Stan Wawrinka.

In a high-quality match between two ageing legends of the sport, it was the Swiss who used his greater clay-court nous and piercing backhand to prevail 6-4 6-4 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 37-year-old has never won the French Open, but made the final in 2016 and also has a host of quarter-final and semi-final appearances. He found Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic almost immovable objects in Paris.

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Clay is undoubtedly Murray’s least-favourite surface, but in the wake of losing to Wawrinka, he said: “Yeah, I did really well here over the years. You know, a lot of results and stuff, I think the issue for me is that when you compare it to what Rafa or Novak achieved in the same time, it obviously is minuscule in comparison.

Andy Murray was defeated in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.Andy Murray was defeated in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.
Andy Murray was defeated in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.

“But yeah, most players would sign up for the results I’ve had here. I played a final, I think four semis and made the quarters a couple of times as well. I lost in the semis to Novak in five, Stan in five, and twice to Rafa. Obviously no shame in that.

“In a different time maybe the results would have been a bit different. But I’m proud of the results that I had here. I had great memories. It was not an easy surface for me. But I always showed up and, you know, put in some strong performances, considering. And yeah, it was a good run here over the years.”

The former world number one, who has hinted heavily at retirement at the end of the summer, was well beaten by Wawrinka. It was a familiar feeling for Murray, whose last three matches on the Paris clay have now ended in defeat to his Swiss rival. The first was the epic semi-final defeat in five brutal sets in 2017, a match which ultimately proved too much for Murray’s hip and almost forced him into retirement. This one was more like the second, a straight-sets first-round defeat in 2020, but it has probably still nudged Murray another step closer to calling it a day.

Murray has, of course, provided plenty of unforgettable late-night drama over the years. But sadly, it looks as though the well has finally run dry. In fairness, the two-time Wimbledon winner had done well just to get here having ruptured ankle ligaments nine weeks ago. “I wish I could have done a little bit better,” he added. “Disappointed but, you know, I didn’t have extremely high expectations with the way the preparation had been coming in. But obviously I would have liked to have done better tonight.”

Murray will now focus on Wimbledon - where he has won the title twice.Murray will now focus on Wimbledon - where he has won the title twice.
Murray will now focus on Wimbledon - where he has won the title twice.

Murray, who had a long conversation – a “private” one, he insisted – over the net with his opponent, still plans to play in the doubles with fellow Brit Dan Evans. “Physically tennis is not easy for me nowadays,” he said. “It’s hard and clay has always been a surface that since the very beginning of my career I’ve had back issues on. It had been a bit of a struggle in the training and in the build-up, but I felt pretty good going into the match tonight, considering. Hopefully I’ll be fine for the doubles.”

On the singles front, Murray will now train his sights on the grass-court season, which begins next week. He has entered the Challenger event next week at Surbiton and also has a wildcard for the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart on the week beginning June 10. It is likely that he will also play Queen’s at London the following week, before Wimbledon begins on July 1.

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