Andy Murray’s prospects for the clay season have hit a fresh wave of uncertainty after he turned down a wildcard into the Geneva ATP 250 tournament next week, where he had been hoping to make his singles return after a two-month layoff following his withdrawal from the Miami Open in March.
Murray, who turns 34 years old today, made an encouraging return to action this week as he paired up with Liam Broady in doubles at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome, winning a match together before losing in the second round. Murray had travelled to Rome in order to train with top players yet he took advantage of the unexpected match practice and looked in good shape on the court.
The intention was for Murray to request a wildcard into the main draw of either Geneva or Lyon next week, but he was absent from both tournaments’ finalised wildcard lists on Saturday. The Observer understands that he declined a wildcard into Geneva, where Roger Federer will play his first tournament of the clay season.
The decision leaves the timetable of Murray’s return in doubt. Murray’s ranking of 123 is high enough only for the Roland Garros qualifying draw and he had been hoping to secure a wildcard into the event, which begins on 30 May. The tournament director, Guy Forget, said that they will decide their wildcards next week. It is doubtful that the Roland Garros organisers would grant him a wildcard without any indication of his current level of play.
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“We want to see him in good shape,” said Forget. “I hope he feels well. He hasn’t played any matches yet, which is obviously what any players want to do before committing to a big tournament, especially when you are going to play the best of five sets. We will probably speak to him and his entourage again and then we will make a decision next week.”
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic produced a sublime comeback to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in their intense, rain-delayed Rome quarter-final on Saturday. After taking the first set, Tsitsipas led by a break in both the second and third sets before serving for the match at 5-4 in the final set. Djokovic recovered each time to reach the semi-final. He will face Lorenzo Sonego for a place in the final this evening.
