Andy Murray will prioritise rest and recovery before Wimbledon following a gruelling clay-court season that ended in defeat in the French Open final.
“I have never had a clay-court season like that one, never won that many matches,” he said after Sunday’s loss to Novak Djokovic in Paris.
“I need to rest and allow my body to recover.”
Murray’s next tournament is on the grass of Queen’s Club, when he defends his title at the Aegon Championships.
The British number one has appeared at the Wimbledon warm-up in London for the past eight years and will be the main draw again when it starts on 13 June.
Murray’s run at the French Open followed appearances in the finals of the Italian and Madrid Opens. He also made the last four of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Murray spent more than 20 hours on court during his campaign at Roland Garros, after coming through five-set meetings in the first two rounds.
“I played in such difficult conditions over the past couple of weeks – heavy slow, physical matches,” he said.
“I need to recover a bit before getting back on the grass and training again.”
An extra week between the end of the French Open and the start of Wimbledon was introduced for the first time in 2015.
Djokovic has won the Wimbledon title for the past two years.
He usually opts to play in lower-profile exhibition events as part of a more gentle transition between clay and grass.
Murray, 29, says his inconsistent serving was the most apparent weakness in his 24th defeat in 34 career meetings with Djokovic.
The Scot landed with 61% of his first serves in winning the first set, but that success rate fell to 46% over the following three sets.
“If you don’t serve well it is going to make things tough,” Murray said.
Murray made 64% of his first serves in his three-set win over Djokovic in the 2013 Wimbledon final.
After becoming the eighth man to win all four of the Grand Slam events and only the third to hold them all simultaneously, Djokovic said he was aiming for a new landmark.
| Djokovic’s Grand Slam dominance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| 2014 | Stan Wawrinka | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | Marin Cilic |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | Novak Djokovic |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic | Novak Djokovic | ||
If the Serb successfully defends his Wimbledon and US Open titles later this year, he would become the first man since Australian great Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a Grand Slam clean sweep in a single calendar year.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I think everything is achievable in life,” said Djokovic, who has now won 12 Grand Slam titles.
Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten identified just one weakness in the world number one’s game – his celebration.
Djokovic traced a heart in the Roland Garros clay after his win, just as Kuerten did after beating Alex Corretja in 2001.
“He asked me for permission,” said Kuerten. “But mine was a little bit better.”
Andy Murray will prioritise rest and recovery ahead of Wimbledon following a gruelling clay-court season that ended in defeat in the French Open final.
“I have never had a clay-court season like that one, never won that many matches, I have never been in a final here before,” he said after Sunday’s loss to Novak Djokovic in Paris.
“I need to rest and allow my body to recover.”
Murray’s next tournament is the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club.
The British number one has appeared at the Wimbledon warm-up in London for the past eight years and will be the main draw again when it starts on 13 June.
Djokovic, who has won the Wimbledon title for the past two years, usually opts to play in lower-profile exhibition events as part of a more gentle transition between clay and grass.
An extra week between the end of the French Open and the start of Wimbledon was introduced for the first time in 2015.
Murray’s run at the French Open followed appearances in the finals of the Italian and Madrid Opens and making the last four of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Murray spent more than 20 hours on court during his campaign at Roland Garros, after coming through five-set meetings in the first two rounds.
“I played in such difficult conditions over the past couple of weeks, heavy slow, physical matches. I need to recover a bit before getting back on the grass and training again,” Murray added.
Murray, 29, says his inconsistent serving was the most apparent weak point in his 24th defeat in 34 career meetings with Djokovic.
The Scot landed with 61% of his first serves in winning the first set, but that success rate fell to 46% over the following three sets.
“I didn’t serve particularly well after the first set, which can be a factor against him as one of the best returners,” Murray explained.
“If you don’t serve well it is going to make things tough.”
Murray made 64% of his first serves in his three-set win over Djokovic at the 2013 Wimbledon final.
After becoming the eighth man to win all four of the Grand Slam events and only the third to hold them all simultaneously, Djokovic admitted he was aiming for a new landmark.
| Djokovic’s Grand Slam dominance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| 2014 | Stan Wawrinka | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | Marin Cilic |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | Novak Djokovic |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic | Novak Djokovic | ||
If the Serb successfully defends his Wimbledon and US Open titles later this year he would become the first man since Australian great Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a Grand Slam clean sweep in a single calendar year.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I think everything is achievable in life,” he said.
Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten identified just one weakness in the world number one’s game – his celebration.
Djokovic traced a heart in the Roland Garros clay after his win, just as Kuerten did after beating Alex Corretja in 2001.
“He asked me for permission. He said ‘if I win can I do it?’. I said, ‘of course’,” the Brazilian recalled.
“But mine was a little bit better, I would tell him ‘you need to improve a lot’.”
World number one Novak Djokovic beat Britain’s Andy Murray to win his first French Open title and complete the career Grand Slam.
The Serb, 29, won 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 to win his 12th major title and become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams at once.
Murray had hoped to secure the third leg of his own career Slam, having already won Wimbledon and the US Open.
The Scot, 29, was Britain’s first male finalist in Paris since 1937.
Second seed Murray played superbly to win the first set but could not convert a break point early in the second, and Djokovic took control to win in three hours.
He becomes only the eighth man in history to have won all four of the sport’s major singles prizes – and could yet match Laver’s achievement of winning all four in a calendar year.
Djokovic fell back on the clay in delight and relief after requiring two breaks of serve and four match points in a desperately tense end to the final.
With three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten watching from the stands, Djokovic then emulated the Brazilian by drawing a heart in the clay with his racquet.
“It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career,” said Djokovic. “I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.
“I drew the heart on the court, like Guga, which he gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court.”
Murray, who has now lost five Grand Slam finals to Djokovic, had looked capable of causing an upset with an aggressive display in the opening set.
However, Djokovic turned the match around early in the second set and Murray, who had played five hours’ more tennis in reaching the final, could not keep pace.
“To Novak, this is his day,” said Murray. “What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal; winning all the Grand Slams in one year is an amazing achievement.
“It’s so rare in tennis, and for me personally, it sucks to lose the match, but I’m proud to have been part of today.”
Djokovic looked determined to make up for losing in three previous Paris finals when he broke the Murray serve to love with a brilliant opening game, but the nerves were soon apparent.
A beautiful lob saw Murray hit straight back in game two and, playing aggressively at every opportunity, he powered into a 4-1 lead as Djokovic misfired with his forehand.
Murray clinched the set at the third opportunity – after a generous overrule that drew boos from a crowd seemingly backing Djokovic – and some stunning defence earned the Scot a break point at the start of the second set.
Djokovic needed to turn the tide and he did so with a smash, before grabbing the lead when Murray double-faulted at break point down.
The Serb then began to dictate with his backhand, firing a winner down the line for a decisive second break as Murray’s first-serve percentage slipped below the 50% mark.
Djokovic continued to press, setting up break points at 1-1 in the third set with a forehand winner and watching as Murray dropped a volley into the net with the court gaping.
The crowd chanted “Nole! Nole!” as the world number one finally regained the lead he had surrendered after the opening game of the match, and he broke again with a terrific sliding winner on his way to a two-sets-to-one lead.
With a 5-2 lead in the fourth set, and his friends and supporters preparing to celebrate in the stands, Djokovic suffered a tortuous few minutes as Murray refused to give up.
The Briton got one of the breaks back and saved two match points, before finally netting a backhand as Djokovic clinched a historic win.
Pat Cash, former Wimbledon champion: “This has been the tricky one for Djokovic but he’s come out and played some great tennis. He’s rock solid, he knows his game so well and he’s mentally focused. From where he started off in this match to where he finished, what a contrast, and it just goes to show how great a champion he is.”
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Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic gave the Paris crowd a home victory to cheer as they won the women’s doubles title at the French Open.
The French duo, seeded seventh, beat Russian fifth seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-3 2-6 6-4.
Garcia and Mladenovic claimed their first Grand Slam title having only teamed up this year with a target of playing at the Olympics.
They have now won titles in Charleston, Stuttgart, Madrid and Paris.
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DJOKOVIC Novak (SRB) Andy Murray became a part of a rare group on Friday when he defeated Stanislas Wawrinka as one of the…
Novak Djokovic is no stranger to playing on championship Sunday at Roland Garros.
Three times Djokovic has been one match from completing the career Grand Slam on the terre battue. In 2012, he was on the precipice of adding the lone remaining major trophy to his growing haul, but Rafael Nadal was there to thwart the Serbian in four sets. Two years later, Djokovic looked to be in control against his Spanish rival after racing to a 6-3 lead, but once again Nadal would not be denied.
In 2015, the World No. 1 exorcized the demons in defeating Nadal in the quarter-finals, but a mesmerizing performance by Stan Wawrinka stole the show. This year, it’s the same tournament and the same prize, but a different opponent on Sunday. With longtime rival Andy Murray standing between him and the Coupe de Mousquetaires, Djokovic hopes the fourth time will be a charm.
“I’ve put myself in the position I wanted to be in ever since last year’s final,” Djokovic said. “It’s always high on the priority list when I start a season, thinking about Roland Garros, and to be able to reach the final is really special. I give myself another opportunity to win the trophy.”
With his longtime rival on the other side of the net, Djokovic is well aware that the task at hand will be anything but routine. In 12 of their past 14 FedEx ATP Head2Head clashes, the World No. 1 has emerged victorious, but Murray is coming off a resounding straight-set win in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and carries an impressive 35-3 record on clay over the past 13 months.
Djokovic is not taking anything for granted.
“We have split wins lately. I think in the last 12 months or so he’s beaten me probably three times. I beat him maybe one or two more. I think he’s one of the most dedicated tennis players on tour. He always seeks to improve his game and to get better, which I do, too.
“Ever since we first met when we were 11 years old, if we knew back then that we were going to fight for biggest trophy in this sport, I think we would both sign the document. It’s pretty nice that our rivalry has evolved over the years. I don’t think that there is any particular advantage to my side. I think mentally when we step on the court, maybe to some extent there’s a some small percentage, but he’s playing in great form.
“We haven’t played at Roland Garros too many times. We played I think last year in five sets. I remember that match very well. Let’s see. It’s another Grand Slam title up for grabs for both Andy and myself. One thing is for sure: I know to always expect a physical battle with him when I get on the court.”
In addition to completing the career Grand Slam, Djokovic is bidding to become the reigning champion at all four majors, a rare achievement in men’s professional tennis. It has been nearly 50 years since Rod Laver last achieved the feat in 1969, having previously done so in 1962. Don Budge was the only other player to own the quartet of trophies at the same time, in 1938.
“For a change, it’s great to have a day off,” Djokovic added, referring to the persistent rain that hit Roland Garros during the second week. “I think it’s going to serve me well to recover and get that energy supply. On Sunday, I’ll give my all as always.”
The 28-year-old saved his best tennis for the championship match
After a decade on tour, Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan has won the biggest ATP Challenger Tour title of his career.
Competing this week at the $125,000+H event in Prostejov, Czech Republic, the 28-year-old was in top form. In the championship, he earned his 12th ATP Challenger Tour title by defeating qualifier Marton Fuscovics of Hungary in 59 minutes, 6-1, 6-2. The win was the fourth ATP Challenger Tour final this year to finish in under an hour.
Former world No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl, the tournament ambassador this year in Prostejov, was on hand to give Kukushkin his winner’s trophy.
“I didn’t expect that I was going to win coming here, but was getting more confidence with each match. My quarter-final (against two-time defending champion and local favourite Jiri Vesely) was probably the most important win for me this week,” said Kukushkin. “To win the biggest Challenger is very important. This tournament is famous on tour and has a lot of strong players.”
Kukushkin is now on a 10-match win streak on the ATP Challenger Tour, having won the most recent Challenger he entered last July at his home in Astana. He’s entered Challengers sparingly in recent years, but enjoyed great success when he has, compiling an 18-4 record since 2014.
The Kazakhstani admits to struggling with injuries just as he’s found his stride. Shortly after entering the Top 50 of the Emirates ATP Rankings in 2012, injury forced him to sit out the fall season. He rebounded strongly in the second half of 2012, winning three ATP Challenger Tour titles and finishing as runner-up in two other events. After an extended absence, Kukushkin re-entered the Top 50 last fall, earning a career-high ranking of No. 46 in October.
“Because I’ve had periods of my career where I was dealing with injuries, the main thing for me is to stay healthy,” he said. “I also want to improve my ranking as much as possible. I’ve already been in the Top 50 and would like to try and go even higher than that.“
After winning in Prostejov, Kukushkin said it’s a safe assumption he’ll return next year to defend his title.
“The tournament is very good. It’s a quiet place since we’re staying on site at the club and there are a lot of courts to hit on,” he said. “I’ve already played here a couple of times and enjoyed it, but I like it here even more now that I’ve won!”