• French Open

Murray 'will prioritise Wimbledon' over Roland Garros

Andy Murray will prioritise his Wimbledon challenge over playing in the French Open, his mother Judy has confirmed.

World No. 2 Murray's participation in next week's grand slam at Roland Garros is in serious doubt, after the Scot acknowledged he would be "surprised" if he played in the event after a lower back complaint forced him to withdraw from his opening contest at the current Rome Masters.

Murray will take five days to recuperate before making a decision on his participation in Paris - but his mother has said that being fully fit for the All-England Club at the end of June is his priority, suggesting the current US Open champion could skip the French Open entirely to focus on being in the best possible shape to challenge for victory in London.

"Obviously the goal is to be in peak condition for Wimbledon," Judy Murray told the BBC.

Murray has endured injury problems while playing on clay in the past - most notably struggling at last year's French Open during a meeting with Jarkko Nieminen - and Judy confirmed that the surface has caused her son persistent issues.

She added: "It's something to do with his back but the scan will let him see what the injury is and what needs to be done.

"Often you pick up niggles when you change surfaces. Each surface brings its own problems and challenges. This back issue has been rumbling for a week or so.

"It's not so easy on the clay. There is a lot more twisting and turning. He needs to be cautious and I'm sure Wimbledon will be his priority."

After his withdrawal on Wednesday, Murray said that the problem was not a new one.

"Until Madrid it had been OK but it's not been perfect for a long period," Murray said. "You always go into matches with little niggles and such, but it's frustrating when for a long period you're hurting."

Murray was beaten in the final of Wimbledon last year, losing out to Roger Federer. Prior to that he was defeated in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros by David Ferrer. He has only reached the semi-finals at the event once in his career to date.

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