Andy Murray, of Great Britain, reacts during his tennis match
Andy Murray was dealt a setback in his preparations for the 2024 French Open as he fell to a convincing straight-set defeat at the Bordeaux Challenger.
The former world No 1 was beaten 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the clay-court tournament by world No 115 Gregoire Barrere on Thursday.
Andy Murray made his comeback in Bordeaux this week from an ankle injury he suffered at the Miami Open in March and he won his opening round match. Kyrian Jacquet, the world No 219, was forced to retire though injury with Murray leading 7-5, 2-0.
However, the 37-year-old had a far tougher time against Barrere, who reached a career-high ranking of world No 49 in July last year.
The Brit was broken three times as he swiftly fell 0-5 behind in the first set, and while he clawed two breaks back and cut the deficit to 4-5, his French opponent served the set out at the third time of asking.
Andy Murray’s fortunes did not improve in the second set as Barrere broke his serve twice to take a 4-1 lead. The former world No 1 pulled one break back to make the score 2-4, but he was broken for the sixth time in the match in the following game as he slipped to a resounding defeat.
Bordeaux R2: G. Barrere’s point to 4-2* 0-15, 2nd set. pic.twitter.com/CMPeu12ceU
— eretzsportmed3 🎥 (@eretzsportmed3) May 16, 2024
Bordeaux R2: GSM, G. Barrere d. A. Murray 6-4, 6-2. pic.twitter.com/ZAeYdbknz6
— eretzsportmed3 🎥 (@eretzsportmed3) May 16, 2024
The two-time Olympic champion used a Yonex racket at the ATP Challenger event, having previously played with a Head racket throughout his career.
Andy Murray, who revealed in February he is unlikely to play beyond this summer, is next set to compete at the Geneva Open ATP 250 event next week after accepting a wildcard.
The British tennis icon is then expected to play at the French Open in what will likely be his final appearance at Roland Garros.
Former British No 1 Andrew Castle spoke exclusively to Tennis365 about Murray’s comeback and he suggested the Scot could have one final moment of glory left in his career before retiring from tennis.
“Who knows what to expect from Andy Murray this summer, but you know he will give it everything until he hits his final ball,” Castle told Tennis365.
“He is always looking for that extra edge to take him to the next level and that will never change with Andy.
“It will be different this summer because he has said it will probably be his last Wimbledon, so there are bound to be presentations, goodbyes and acknowledgements for Murray at Wimbledon, as there should be.
“The career he has had and the joy he has given British tennis fans has been immense and he deserves whatever send-off they give him.
“He will be acknowledged for the inspirational sportsman he has been. He’s been unbelievable.”
