• ATP Tour

Murray eyes clay court improvement

ESPN staff
February 5, 2013
Andy Murray is determined to improve his results on clay in 2013 © Getty Images
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Andy Murray is determined to improve his results on clay in the build-up to the French Open but admits that his bid for a first Wimbledon title ranks as his top priority this season.

The US Open champion has played in finals at three of the four grand slams, but has not been beyond the semi-finals at Roland Garros having lost to seven-time champion Rafael Nadal in the final four in 2011.

But while the Scot would love to set the record straight on the slow, high-bouncing clay courts of Europe, the quicker lawns of the All England Club remain his focus in 2013.

"I'm preparing as best as possible for [the French Open], but when Wimbledon comes round it is obviously the big goal of all of the players during the year," Murray told Sky Sports News.

"It's a massive event - obviously for me, more so - and it's incredibly hard to win. I totally understand that and I'll give everything I can to do well."

Murray, who trained on clay in his formative years in Spain, concedes that his results on the surface have been disappointing in comparison to his hard and grass court prowess. Playing in the French Open final would go a long way to setting that record straight.

"It's the only slam I haven't reached the final of - I've reached the semis there once - and to get the chance to play for a title there would be great," Murray added.

"For me, clay's been a surface I've struggled on and my results on clay haven't been as good as on the other surfaces, so to be able to do that would be one of my best achievements."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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