Andy Murray maintains it was the right decision to withdraw from the Italian Open after his next French Open opponent Jeremy Chardy revealed he was irritated by the Scot’s decision to pull out.
Murray beat Chardy in the Rome second round two weeks ago but, after reaching consecutive finals in Munich and Madrid, the Scot decided to ditch the tournament to conserve energy for Roland Garros.
Chardy, who faces Murray again in the French Open last 16, admitted he had been a “little bit p*****” by the Scot’s withdrawal, adding “if you want to win a grand slam, everybody is tired”.
Read more:
– Jo-Wilfried Tsonga delights Paris crowd with win over Tomas Berdych
– Photo gallery: Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams advance to French Open last-16
The comments add spice to the pair’s reunion on Monday but Murray is adamant his decision to withdraw was the correct one.
“At the time it certainly felt like it was,” said Murray, speaking before Chardy expressed his disapproval.
“I was extremely tired. I obviously wanted to try to compete as best I could that week but the more time I spent in the event, I realised I felt very tired.
“The evening that I played the match against Chardy, I woke up the next day feeling pretty tired.
“I had a bad practice before my match with (his next opponent) David Goffin and it was like, maybe I would have been able to get through a couple more matches but I would have to then take more time off and the French Open starts on Sunday.
“It was a tough decision, but at the time it felt like the right one.”
Murray is unbeaten on clay so far this year and made it 10 wins in a row with a straight-sets victory over Australian 20-year-old Nick Kyrgios on Saturday.
The British No 1 has only lost once to Chardy in seven previous meetings but their Italian Open match-up was the only time they have ever played on clay.
The Frenchman has made it a grand slam quarter-final just once in his career but he is on a strong run, having beaten American John Isner and Belgium’s David Goffin already at Roland Garros for the loss of only one set.
“Since the beginning of the tournament I have been playing a lot better than in Rome, so I hope...that I will be able to play a better match and perhaps win,” Chardy said.
“I really like playing at Roland Garros, for me, there is not any pressure.
“It helps me to play in front of my crowd, and they give me a lot of energy, so I enjoy every year to play here.”
French Open order of play on Monday:
Court Philippe Chatrier
Lucie Safarova (CZE x13) v Maria Sharapova (RUS x2)
To finish
Gael Monfils (FRA x13) level with Roger Federer (SUI x2) 3-6, 6-4
Serena Williams (USA x1) v Sloane Stephens (USA)
Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Richard Gasquet (FRA x20)
Court Suzanne Lenglen
Flavia Pennetta (ITA x28) v Garbine Muguruza (ESP x21)
Andy Murray (GBR x3) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
Jack Sock (USA) v Rafael Nadal (ESP x6)
Petra Kvitova (CZE x4) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x23)
Court One
Marin Cilic (CRO x9) v David Ferrer (ESP x7)
Sara Errani (ITA x17) v Julia Goerges (GER)
Andreea Mitu (ROM) v Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL)
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
