Category: Andy Murray

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

May 2, 2024

The clay swing heads to Rome in May for the Italian Open as preparations continue for the French Open.

The combined ATP and WTA 1000 event is the last big tournament before players make their way to Roland-Garros, which starts on Sunday, May 26, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Last year saw Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina claim the singles titles, but will they repeat their respective triumphs this season?

The Italian Open will see almost all the top stars from both tours in action, and we run through all you need to know, including when it starts, what’s the schedule, when is the draw, and who’s playing…

When is the Italian Open?

Qualifying for the Italian Open starts on Monday, May 6 ahead of the main draw on Wednesday, May 8.

The finals will be held on the weekend of May 18.

As with the Madrid Open, the 32 seeds get a first-round bye so they enter the tournament in the second round.

Play will start at 10am UK time every day until Thursday, May 16 when it begins at midday. There will be evening sessions starting at 6pm each day until finals weekend, when play starts at midday on both days.

When is the Italian Open draw?

The draw is expected to be held on Monday, May 6.

Are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal playing the Italian Open?

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal look set to play in Rome.

It will be the first clay tournament that the two tennis greats have contested since the 2022 French Open, when Nadal beat Djokovic on his way to a 14th title.

Djokovic missed the Madrid Open and has only played one clay tournament in Monte Carlo, where he made the semis.

He is a 10-time winner of the Italian Open and looks set to play the tournament for the final time ahead of his potential retirement this year.

Will Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play the Italian Open?

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have injury concerns ahead of the Italian Open.

Alcaraz has been battling a forearm injury that forced him to miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He made the quarter-finals in Madrid but admitted to having “difficult feelings” towards the end of his loss against Andrey Rublev.

After a stunning start to the year the Italian could have a chance to get to world No. 1 in Rome if he is healthy to play.

Who else is playing the Italian Open?

Defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be back in Rome along with Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.

Andy Murray will not be playing as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will lead the women’s draw.

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Elena Rybakina celebrates winning the Italian Open in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Neither won the title last year as Swiatek retired with injury in the quarter-finals and Sabalenka was shocked in the second round by Sofia Kenin.

Elena Rybakina was the champion in 2023 and she will be aiming to continue her strong start to the season with another title run.

World No. 3 Coco Gauff could close the gap on world No. 1 Swiatek if she can go far in Rome.

Emma Raducanu’s participation is uncertain. She has not been announced as a wildcard entry but could enter qualifying with her protected ranking.

When is the French Open?

The 2024 French Open main draw starts on Sunday, May 26, with the tournament one of two Grand Slams, along with the Australian Open, that is run over 15 days instead of 14 this year.

The singles finals will be held on the weekend of June 8.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals weekend, and there will be an evening session scheduled from 7.15pm UK time every day until the semi-finals start on Thursday, June 6.

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French Open hint? Murray training on clay ahead of potential Grand Slam return

April 29, 2024

Andy Murray has raised hopes that he could return to court in time for the French Open.

The former world No. 1 has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury in defeat to Tomas Machac in the last 32 of the Miami Open in late March.

His coach Jonny O’Mara posted a video on social media of Murray on court and practising on clay.

That Murray is training on clay could be an indicator that he is going to try and be fit for the French Open, which starts on May 26.

Murray has only played the French Open once since 2020 and has largely cut down on his clay schedule in recent years to focus on preparing for the grass swing.

“Last few years I’ve tried to give myself maybe better preparation for the grass season, but that also doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to play really well on the grass,” he said earlier this year.

“I’ve had experiences through my career where I didn’t play the French Open in 2013 and I won Wimbledon. I also played the French Open and did really well in 2016 [when he also won the title at SW19].

“I don’t think it makes a huge difference if you get an extra week’s practice or so on the grass. So yeah, I would like to play one more time.”

The Olympic tennis event this summer is also held at Roland-Garros, the venue of the French Open.

Whether Murray would play any events ahead of the French Open remains to be seen.

The ATP 1000 Italian Open starts on May 8 and there are two ATP 250 tournaments in the week before the French Open.

If Murray does play the French Open he will be unseeded, as he has dropped down to No. 57 in the world rankings.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

April 15, 2024

Andy Murray will not have surgery on an ankle injury he suffered last month, but a return date is still not known.

The 36-year-old ruptured his ankle ligament in a third-round defeat to Tomas Machac at the Miami Open on March 24.

Murray fell to the floor in pain, but he was able to finish the match after receiving on-court treatment.

A spokesperson from Murray’s team confirmed on Monday that his rehabilitation “is going well”.

The spokesperson said: “Latest update from Andy is that he is now out of the walking boot and will not be having surgery on his ankle,

“His rehab is going well and he is hoping to start hitting again on court soon. As yet he doesn’t have a date yet for returning to competition.”

The Olympic Games, which Murray also said he would like to compete in, starts in Paris on July 26.

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‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics – Wilander

April 5, 2024

Mats Wilander says Andy Murray can end his glittering career “on top” at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Murray, 36, has hinted that his retirement could be just around the corner, but the two-time Wimbledon champion is expected to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Wilander told Eurosport that he believes the Olympics could be Murray’s final event before calling time on his career.

“I’m really, really looking forward to him playing the Olympics, because I hope that if he does quit this year – which I hope he doesn’t – I do believe personally that it will happen at the Olympics,” Wilander predicted to Eurosport.

Murray won Olympic gold at his home Games 12 years ago in Great Britain and also clinched the top spot on the podium at the 2016 Games in Rio.

He remains the only men’s player to win the singles competition twice and Wilander believes that is where his legacy lies.

“That’s where he’s made the biggest impact on British tennis,” Wilander said.

“That’s where he has made the most fans and friends in his home nation of Great Britain because he played for his country and he won it twice.

“Not even [Roger] Federer [Rafael] Nadal or [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics twice. Of course, some of those guys haven’t even won it once.

“But Andy Murray is a Wimbledon champion twice, more importantly. So I hope that he keeps the same natural free-flowing tennis that he showed in the last few weeks.

“And then he can win matches against the best players in the world, and he’s going to be a dangerous threat and go out somewhat on top.”

Despite all the excitement around what could be an incredible end to a remarkable career for the former world No. 1, there are concerns surrounding Murray after he suffered an injury in Miami.

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Murray v Machac – Miami Open highlights

Wilander labelled Murray as “one of the greatest fighters of all time” who would have been far more successful had he not played in the same era as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

“A lot of people have, I think, misunderstood Andy Murray over the years,” Wilander explained. “But when you see him in Miami after doing that to his ankle, suddenly, they might realise Andy Murray is one of the greatest fighters of all time, one the greatest competitors of all time.

“He would have won 10 majors if he didn’t play at the same time as the big three. Again, it’s just Andy Murray. He’s an unbelievable fighter. He’s got so much knowledge, so much experience, but he still looks at tennis like a kid, like when he was 14 years old.”

Wilder also admitted Murray’s injury is “terrible, terrible news”, but credited the veteran for always wanting to match his younger, more athletic opponents.

“The message he’s sending is ‘I still believe, and I’ve proved the point to myself, that I can play with these young guys. I can open up my shoulders, so to speak, and go for winners and play short points if I have to’.”

On why Murray continued to play until the end of the match despite the injury, Wilander added: “I think he didn’t want to retire. He doesn’t want to retire in a match. He wants to try and play until the end of the match, whether it’s on one leg or one hip or one foot, whatever.

“He’s a fighter. He’s warrior out there, and I think he finds it challenging to try and finish the match, even though his ankle might be a bit sore.”

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

April 3, 2024

It’s time for the clay swing.

The next couple of months will feature some of the biggest tournaments of the season as players build up to the French Open.

The first port of call for most of the top stars on the ATP Tour is the Monte Carlo Masters, which is one of three ATP Masters 1000 clay tournaments.

When and where is the Monte Carlo Masters?

The Monte Carlo Masters is played on clay courts at the Monte Carlo Country Club and is an ATP Tour event.

Qualifying starts on Saturday, April 6 and the main draw begins on Monday, April 8.

The singles final is held on Sunday, April 14.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals day, when the singles final begins at 2pm UK time.

Monte Carlo Masters 2024 schedule

  • Saturday, April 6: Qualifying
  • Sunday, April 7: Qualifying
  • Monday, April 8: First round
  • Tuesday, April 9: First and second round
  • Wednesday, April 10: Second and third round
  • Thursday, April 11: Third round
  • Friday, April 12: Quarter-finals
  • Saturday, April 13: Semi-finals
  • Sunday, April 14: Doubles final and singles final

Will Novak Djokovic play Monte Carlo?

The world No. 1 has had a rocky start to the year, losing in the Australian Open semi-finals and then suffering a shock defeat to Luca Nardi in the third round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic, who has been pictured practising with Holger Rune in Monte Carlo, has not yet hired a replacement for Ivanisevic.

Djokovic is into his 419th week as world No. 1 and this week will break Roger Federer’s record as the oldest No. 1 in history.

Jannik Sinner appears to be on the march to becoming world No. 1 after his stunning start to the year but can’t catch Djokovic in Monte Carlo as he has 360 points to defend from making the semi-finals last year, while Djokovic only has 90.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has slipped down to world No. 3, also only has 90 points to defend but is 1,080 points behind Djokovic.

There are 1,000 points on offer for the winner in Monte Carlo.

Will Rafael Nadal play Monte Carlo?

Rafeal Nadal’s potential clay swansong is set to start in Monte Carlo.

The 11-time champion has not played since making his return after a year out in Brisbane at the start of the season.

Clay remains Nadal’s favourite surface and is expected to be kinder for his body than hard courts.

It is still not known how much longer Nadal will play for. He will celebrate his 38th birthday in early June and has previously said this could be his last season on tour, which might mean a farewell at the French Open or the Olympics – but he has also not ruled out playing on.

Are Sinner, Alcaraz and Murray playing Monte Carlo?

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are both set to start their clay seasons in Monte Carlo.

Sinner and Alcaraz were the standout players across the Sunshine Double, winning Miami and Indian Wells respectively, and look the closest rivals to Djokovic.

Murray’s team have said it is “still not clear how long Andy will be out of action”, but there is a chance he could miss the entire clay season due to the injury.

Who is the defending Monte Carlo champion?

Andrey Rublev beat Holger Rune in last year’s final to claim the first Masters 1000 title of his career.

Rublev does not come into the tournament in the best of form, having lost two of three matches across Indian Wells and Miami.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Murray confirms Monte-Carlo and Munich absense with ankle injury

March 29, 2024

Andy Murray has confirmed he will miss two clay-court ATP tournaments in April as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained at the Miami Open.

A spokesperson said Murray would now miss the Monte-Carlo Masters and Bavarian International next month.

“At this stage, it is still not clear how long Andy will be out of action, and he is continuing to review options with his medical team,” the statement read.

“Obviously this is very disappointing news for Andy and he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.”

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Andy Murray

Image credit: Getty Images

But he had spoken about his desire to play at the French Open, Wimbledon and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with his new injury now casting doubt about what is possible.

The three-time Grand Slam champion underwent career-saving hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, and he has struggled to perform at his best since.

He impressed at the Miami Open, however, and rose to world No. 59 after reaching the round of 32.

“Goes without saying this is a tough one to take and I’ll be out for an extended period,” Murray posted on social media after suffering his injury against Machac.

“But I’ll be back with one hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Murray confirms Monte-Carlo and Munich absense with ankle injury

March 29, 2024

Andy Murray has confirmed he will miss two clay-court ATP tournaments in April as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained at the Miami Open.

A spokesperson said Murray would now miss the Monte-Carlo Masters and Bavarian International next month.

“At this stage, it is still not clear how long Andy will be out of action, and he is continuing to review options with his medical team,” the statement read.

“Obviously this is very disappointing news for Andy and he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.”

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Andy Murray

Image credit: Getty Images

But he had spoken about his desire to play at the French Open, Wimbledon and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with his new injury now casting doubt about what is possible.

The three-time Grand Slam champion underwent career-saving hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, and he has struggled to perform at his best since.

He impressed at the Miami Open, however, and rose to world No. 59 after reaching the round of 32.

“Goes without saying this is a tough one to take and I’ll be out for an extended period,” Murray posted on social media after suffering his injury against Machac.

“But I’ll be back with one hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com