By Andy Murray has been testing new rackets ahead of his return to action this summer. The Brit has made a speedy recovery from an ankle ligament injury and is due to play at the Bordeaux Challenger event next week.
Murray has also received a wildcard for the ATP 250 event in Geneva, which will begin on May 19. If everything goes well, the 36-year-old could be fit to participate in what could be his final French Open.
An ankle injury was initially due to keep Murray out for an “extended period” but he is set to return just two months after damaging two ligaments. The three-time Grand Slam champion has been keen to be fit for the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships.
In preparation for a busy summer, Murray has been testing different rackets due practice sessions. Tennis commentator Andrew Castle made the revelation in an interview with Tennis 365.
He said: “From what I hear he is practising with a different racket, he is still working with the different weights of the racket and different strings. He’s still trying to get 100 per cent out of everything.
“If he does call it quits this year, you just have to reflect on the most unbelievable career and hope that we all capitalise on it, which we probably won’t.”
Murray has been hoping to play the French Open in preparation for Wimbledon. He has been training on clay and will participate in at least two events before heading to Roland Garros.
However, Murray insists that preparing for Wimbledon by featuring at the French Open is not an imperative scenario. He says that his form on grass will not depend on how much preparation he fits in on the surface.
“Last few years I’ve tried to give myself maybe better preparation for the grass season, but that also doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to play really well on the grass,” he said earlier this year.
I’ve had experiences throughout my career where I didn’t play the French Open in 2013 and I won Wimbledon. I also played the French Open and did really well [at Wimbledon] in 2016.
“I don’t think it makes a huge difference if you get an extra week’s practice or so on the grass. So yeah, I would like to play one more time.”
Murray has admitted that he may not play beyond the summer. He has struggled with fitness and form since undergoing hip surgery in 2018 and turns 37 on Wednesday.
