/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/10/image-4ae29146-b8a0-4c59-8b50-c3d9900afff5-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Andy Murray to make return in Bordeaux on ATP Challenger Tour ahead of Geneva and French Open – Eurosport")
By Andy Murray will make an earlier-than-expected return from injury as he has entered an ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux starting on May 14.
Murray, 36, has not played since suffering an ankle injury in the last 16 of the Miami Open in late March.
Murray’s last clay match was in Bordeaux a year ago when he was beaten 6-3 6-0 by Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka will also be back at the event, along with top-50 players Sebastian Baez, Arthur Fils and Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
After Bordeaux and Geneva, Murray is expected to play at the French Open, which starts on May 26.
His grass swing will start in Stuttgart on June 10 as he builds up to a potential last appearance at Wimbledon.
The ankle injury Murray suffered in Miami seemed as though it might jeopardise his summer plans, but he opted against surgery and is now set for a return.
Murray has only played the French Open once since 2020 and has cut down on his clay schedule in recent years as he has instead focused on preparing for the grass swing.
But he has said he would like to play in Paris one more time before he retires.
“I’ve had experiences through my career where I didn’t play the French Open in 2013 and I won Wimbledon. I also played the French Open and did really well in 2016 [when he also won the title at SW19].
“I don’t think it makes a huge difference if you get an extra week’s practice or so on the grass. So yeah, I would like to play one more time.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games tennis event this summer is also held at Roland-Garros, the venue of the French Open.
