Andy Murray Faces Potential Final French Open Singles Match After Loss to Stan Wawrinka
Andy Murray may have played his last singles match at the French Open after a decisive first-round defeat to Stan Wawrinka. The 37-year-old Briton, who has hinted that this year could be his final season on tour, chose to forego surgery on an ankle injury to make his return to Roland Garros. However, his lack of recent match practice was apparent in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 loss to the 39-year-old Swiss player.
This match marked Murray’s first appearance on the Paris clay since a first-round exit in 2020 and only his second since a grueling semi-final loss in 2017, both to Wawrinka. Reflecting on the match, Murray acknowledged the challenge. “It was always going to be a tough match. Stan has, over the years, played brilliant tennis on that court,” he said. “I was expecting him to play very well. I think he did that. He gave me very few opportunities. I wish I could have done a little bit better.”
Murray’s early exit on the opening day of Roland Garros came after fellow Brit Jack Draper also suffered a defeat, losing to Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong. Draper, ranked 35th in the world, was beaten 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 3-6, 6-3 by the 176th-ranked De Jong, marking an inauspicious start for the British players. Murray and Draper were the first of six British competitors at Roland Garros this year, with Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, and Harriet Dart set to begin their campaigns in the following days.
Despite his singles loss, Murray’s participation at the French Open is not over. He has entered the men’s doubles competition alongside compatriot Dan Evans. This doubles entry provides Murray with another opportunity to compete on the Paris clay, extending his presence at Roland Garros a little longer in what might be his farewell tour.
