IT’S DOUBLES OR NOTHING FOR MURRAY
ANDY MURRAY will begin his summer of doubles — which is set to climax at the Olympics — on a bumper day of play at the French Open.
Further rain in Paris yesterday saw more matches cancelled and play on the outside courts brought forward to 10am – 9am UK – today.
Wild cards Murray and Dan Evans will take on South American duo Sebastian Baez and Thiago Seyboth Wild in their opener in the fourth and final match on Court 13, weather permitting. “It is another shot at a bit of fun with a good friend,” said Evans. “Let’s see what we can do. We’ve got a chance in the first round so we’ll see.”
No British men have won the doubles here since Fred Perry and Pat Hughes in 1933 – and this could be Murray’s final chance to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
The results of British doubles specialists Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will determine the UK team for the Olympics. If they remain in the top 10 in the rankings on June 10, both can pick a partner and enter the men’s doubles here in July. Salisbury would partner Murray (top) and Skupski would duet with Evans.
Murray and Evans plan to team up at the Cinch Championships on the grass of Queen’s Club but the Scot, who could retire this year, is not planning to play doubles at Wimbledon.
Rafa Nadal’s coach has revealed the Spanish superstar holds out a “small hope” he will continue his career next year and return to Roland Garros.
Former world No.1 Carlos Moya reckons the 22-time Grand Slam winner, who is set to skip Wimbledon to play the Olympics, has more to offer the men’s game.
Moya said: “It will not be easy for him to play the French Open next year but he has a small hope.
“He does not know what is going to happen with his body. But today he does not want to close the door.”
Nadal has won the French Open 14 times, most recently in 2022. His first title at Roland Garros was in 2005. He has beaten Roger Federer four times in the final and Novak Djokovic three times.