Andy Murray lob™️ #ATPChallenger
Andy Murray turned 37 on Wednesday and also made his return to action after two months away after pulling up with an ankle ligament injury at the Miami Open in March.
It looked potentially like a race against time would have to be imminent to even make it to Wimbledon, no mind a Challenger before Roland Garros. But Murray has found a way. He defeated Kyrian Jacquet 7-5, 2-0 with the Frenchman who came through qualifying retiring after being broken in the second set.
Murray will be retiring soon himself but permanently. The Brit though is giving it all he's got though in order to go out on a high and has even got a new racquet. He switched from Head to Yonex in order to establish some kind of an edge. A good effort after two months out with some trademark Murray shots mixed in too.
Murray thrived last season winning Surbiton on the Challenger Tour and will look for a similar confidence boost this week. He usually doesn't play on clay at all so this is an odd sight in itself. Ordinarily Murray will go through a training block with Wimbledon in mind. His body not exactly being a good match with the hard rigours of clay.
But he has his sights set in particular in a swansong at a certain tournament in Paris. Not Roland Garros, but the Olympic Games. He is a two-time gold medallist and will look for his fairytale ending seemingly on clay. He will team with Dan Evans at the end of the month at Roland Garros.
This union could yet gleam a combo for the Olympic Games. But it is more likely to be Murray with another top doubles star given that they will also be picked for the Games. Evans alongside Cameron Norrie will likely focus on singles. Murray will also head to Geneva from here and already has a packed grass court schedule planned after Roland Garros. Certainly not slowing down as he reaches 37 that is for sure.
Andy Murray lob™️ #ATPChallenger