• ATP Tour

Smart move to miss Madrid - Murray

ESPN staff
May 15, 2012
Andy Murray has recovered from a back niggle © Getty Images
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Andy Murray believes missing last week's Madrid Open could be an inspired decision as he bids to kick-start his French Open preparations.

Roger Federer won his fourth title of the year as he beat Tomas Berdych in Sunday's final, but the tournament was overshadowed by the storm surrounding the controversial blue clay.

Rafael Nadal was outspoken in his criticism surrounding the surface, while Novak Djokovic has threatened to boycott the event next year if changes are not made.

Murray opted to swerve the event with a back injury, instead flying to Rome to prepare for this week's Internazionali BNL d'Italia. And Murray admits it could be a smart move.

"It's been good to get here early for a change," Murray said. "From what the players have been saying to me here, it was the best decision to make. Everyone's been applauding me for not playing, saying: 'You're much smarter than me'.

"Obviously the conditions there aren't ideal, so it's good, with the French Open just a couple of weeks away, that I'm not going to have to make adjustments like the guys coming from Madrid."

Murray, who faces David Nalbandian in the second round at the Foro Italico on Tuesday, is hoping he can build on two quarter-final appearances in Monte Carlo and Barcelona ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 27.

"Right from the start it's going to be hard," Murray said. "I want to try to get as many matches as possible. The French is two weeks away and everything that you can do to prepare, every practice session, every gym session, is going to help towards that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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