Andy Murray plans to start at the US Open
Should the US Open 2020 actually take place, the 2012 title holder, Andy Murray , would not be reluctant to take part. Despite the lack of match practice.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 28, 2020, 07:30 am
Andy Murray and the US Open are, of course, a very special relationship. At the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Murray (finally) got his first major title in 2012, at that time under the aegis of coach Ivan Lendl. The fact that the two other majors in Murray's success list were at home in Wimbledon (2013 and 2016) has no bearing on the current campaign: The most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in London is only back in the calendar for early summer 2021, the US Open are supposed to start in just over four weeks.
In special circumstances that could also influence Murray, who also likes to travel with a slightly larger entourage. The Scotsman ranks 129th in the current frozen ATP world rankings, exactly one place behind Juan Martin del Potro, the US Open Champion of 2009. After neither Del Potro nor Roger Federer will serve in New York (like possibly some others) Veterans like Rafael Nadal or Benoit Paire too), Murray would slip into the grid, regardless of what the USTA plans to issue the wild cards.
Does Murray's body hold?
"We were still very skeptical four or five weeks ago," Murray told reporters over the weekend. “But at some point you have to start preparing yourself mentally. If it didn't happen, my schedule for training, rehab, would be a little different. I now plan mentally as if the US Open were taking place. ”
Playing Murray would be a daring experiment, especially from a physical point of view: After winning the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Antwerp last fall, the two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games still had to try the Davis Cup final in Madrid but get out of there early. The conditions in the New York summer are known to be brutal, especially in the best-of-five mode.
Already winners in Madrid and Rome
"I could play qualifying at the Cincinnati Masters or take a wildcard," Murray said. “The last time I played in front of a slam in the week was when I was 19. I'm not particularly keen on playing two tournaments in a row. The break was going to be five or six months for many players, but ten months for me. ”
The other option for Murray would be to get going for the European clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome. At both events, the veteran has already been able to enter the winner list.