Andy Murray’s participation at the French Open hangs in the balance after a fourth consecutive defeat.
The 35-year-old was left bemoaning one of the worst shots of his career late in a second tiebreak as he was defeated 6-2, 7-6 by Andrea Vavassori at the Madrid Open on Thursday.
Murray’s time has been severely limited on clay. He also lost in the first round at Monte Carlo and has played little on the surface since undergoing hip surgery.
His preference is still to play at Roland Garros but he said he needed to balance that with his Wimbledon ambitions.
“I would like to play because I don’t know if I’ll get another opportunity,” he said with regards to the French Open.
“I also have ambitions of competing for Wimbledon titles and that sort of stuff. I know sitting here today that probably doesn’t sound realistic but I do believe that’s a possibility.
“It’s impossible to say what the right thing to do is but obviously it’s a Grand Slam [the French Open]. I would like the opportunity to play.”
Murray loudly remonstrated with himself during the match and smashed his racket on his bag. Having fought to get back level in the tiebreak, he was also fuming at a simple shot at the net which somehow he failed to get over.
“Obviously, everyone misses bad shots throughout their career but I don’t have too many like that,” he said. “That’s not a shot that top players should be missing. Bad miss.”
