With The Back Improving, Andy Murray Will Play Rotterdam Next Week

by Staff | February 7th, 2014, 9:03 am
  • 19 Comments

In a move signalling the continued improvement in his surgically repaired back, Andy Murray has accepted a wildcard into the Rotterdam tournament next week.

“Last week I contacted Andy Murray and his management,” said tournament head Richard Krajicek. “Because he didn’t have a tournament planned between Australian Open and Acapulco and came back from Australia free from physical issues, it seemed like a good idea to both of us if he came to Rotterdam. After consultation with his coach Ivan Lendl he decided. Obviously this is a great addition to our already very strong field. An excellent opportunity.”


The 26-year-old Murray won the event in 2009 defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. He’ll be seeded second behind Juan Martin del Potro. Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Grigor Dimitrov are also in the field.

Last weekend Murray led Great Britain to a first round win over the USA in Davis Cup play.

“I need a break now, so I’ll take some days off after I get home because I deserve it,” Murray said last Sunday. “And then, yeah, hopefully when I get back on the practice court next‑‑ in about a week’s time, we’ll have a couple weeks before my next tournament and hopefully I’ll be getting closer every week to playing my best tennis again.”

The Rotterdam indoor event begins on Monday. Murray is then expected to play in Acapulco on the 24th.


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19 Comments for With The Back Improving, Andy Murray Will Play Rotterdam Next Week

the DA Says:

The field was already pretty good but it just became a little spicier.
If he doesn’t screw up there’s a great chance to gain points here and at Acapulco to: 1) make sure he doesn’t slip further 2) in the best case scenario regain the no 4 spot before RG. Come on!


RZ Says:

DA, it may be difficult for him to get #4 back, especially with all the Miami points he’s defending. But if he has a strong showing there, he can certainly gain ground with Rotterdam, Acapulco, and Indian Wells, as well as the clay court tournaments.


Margot Says:

It’s gr8 news, alrighty, but dunno why they’ve dug out a picture of Andy from the family album, circa 2000 to illustrate it.


Giles Says:

Well done to Dan Evans who just beat Kohlschreiber!!


RZ Says:

Giles, agreed!
Margot, also agree about the Andy pic. LOL


MMT Says:

Why the hell would Murray play Rotterdam? It can’t be the points, so it must be the money, because there is NO reason for him to push himself so early. I just don’t get it. He just got through playing Davis Cup, coming off back surgery?

What is he thinking?


Hippy Chic Says:

Agree with MMT i dont know why Andys playing Rotterdam,he had plenty of practice playing DC,and he made the QTRS at the AO,and the back seems fine thankfully,strange hmmmm??
BTW agree with Margot terrible picture.


Hippy Chic Says:

Also congrats to Dan Evans thats some win.


Brando Says:

Excellent decision Muzza!

This and Acapulco will be enough for him to be very sharp by the time IW and Miami swing kicks in.

I expect by the time RG comes around he’ll be in the top 4 which right now is the his main target till then.

More titles and by extension point is what the doctor has ordered for him right now.

Time to pussy foot around his return has long gone. He’s back, he’s well and more matches the better.

Hope he gets a serious workout at Rotterdam- needs to get battle hardened. The lack of it showed v RF at AO.

Go get the title Muzza!


the DA Says:

“It can’t be the points”

Of course it is. He’s languishing at No. 6 and has a lot to defend in the next 2 months. It’s a sound strategy. He wouldn’t push himself unnecessarily. He says the DC matches made him more confident that the back was 100%.

It’s a challenging draw in any case. His potential route is: R1: Roger-Vasselin, R2: Nieminen/Qualifier, QF: Tsonga, SF: Gasquet, F: Del Potro/Berdych.

Pooe Delpo has Monfils as his R1 match. Gael needs to get his ranking up asap. These early popcorn matches are fun for us but a bit unfair on both players.


the DA Says:

“Poor” Delpo….


MMT Says:

I guess it’s easy for me to say it, because I’m not a professional, and they really care about their rankings independent of what it means to their seedings.

But he’s a two-time major champion at this point, so it seems to me the only thing he should be concerned with is winning more of those. But I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.

I don’t know what he’s doing, but…


Colin Says:

Something else apart from the picture:
I am often annoyed by the way players are quoted absolutely verbatim, which means in Andy’s case we get every “you know”, that much overused phrase, making him seem inarticulate. However, here we have him saying “we’ll have a couple weeks before my next tournament”. That’s American. Brits say “a couple OF weeks”.


Margot Says:

It’s practise plus points, I’d say. Must’ve felt pretty good after the Davis Cup. And Ivan approves.


Steve27 Says:

I expect Andy can win at least the same GS of Vilas and Courier.
He is the main favorite to win SW 19 again.
And, maybe, in IW or Miami, Rafa and the Scot face each other again since 2011.
Come on!


Hippy Chic Says:

Steve 27 im looking forward to seeing Rafa and Andy face off again,they havent played each other since Tokoyo in 2011 i believe?it will be interesting also to see Rafa facing Andy as a GS champion now.


Hippy Chic Says:

^Ialso like your summary of Andy winning as many GS as Vilas and Courier.


Hippy Chic Says:

^Sorry should be i also.^


MMT Says:

I gotta hand it to you, “the DA”, you were spot on with your analysis of why Murray is playing Rotterdam.

“…I like the tournament, it is close to London and [as] I don’t have many [Emirates ATP Rankings] points to defend over the next few weeks, it was an opportunity to improve my ranking and to get back on a match court again.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/02/7/Rotterdam-2014-Monday-Murray-Returns.aspx

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