Andy Murray is Getting Ready for French Open

Written by: Staff on 18th May 2012

Andy Murray is Getting Ready for French Open

epa03222695 British Andy Murray returns the ball to French Richard Gasquet during their match at the Italian Open Tennis Tournament, at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 17 May 2012. EPA/MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI |

Andy Murray will test the power of positive thinking as he carries a long-standing back injury with him to Paris as the countdown ticking of the French Open gets louder. The Scot crashed out of the Rome Masters in the third round 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-2 to Richard Gasquet.

Murray revealed that he has been carrying a back problem since December but declined to go into details. “I’ve felt it for some months, but I haven’t had a chance to take a pause. I’ve tried not to make it any worse, but the muscles get tired from compensating,” said Murray, who skipped last week’s Madrid Masters because of the problem.

“I’ve got a lot of big events coming and there’s not that much time to rest any niggles. Hopefully when the French comes, the goal is to be in peak condition.”

2011 Roland Garros semi-finalist Murray said that he felt his back after playing nearly three hours in his opening win in Rome. “This was another long match and a sore back towards the end.

“I didn’t take a break last week but training and playing a lot but the muscles are more tired and fatigued. To be honest when you lose matches your confidence drops and when you win your confidence grows – that is the only possibility.”

The No.4 said he will treat the next few days as a break before resuming training with the arrival from the US of coach Ivan Lendl. “I was planning on going to Paris straight away and start to practice as the Grand Slam starts in 9 days.

“I want to make sure I get practicing and get into the gym. The first days there you are not doing too much, just getting into shape and understanding the conditions.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, British tennis news, French Open, Ivan Lendl, Murray, Richard Gasquet, Roland Garros, Rome Masters, Sports