Boris Becker says the injury that has prompted Andy Murray’s withdrawal from the French Open may prove to be something of a “blessing in disguise” for the world number two ahead of Wimbledon.
Murray announced he is not fit to compete in the clay-court grand slam, which begins at Paris’ Roland Garros on Sunday.
He is now focusing on preparation for the grass-court season, with the AEGON Championships at Queen’s getting under way on June 10 and Wimbledon starting 14 days later.
Murray pulled out of the French Open in 2007 due to a wrist injury that also led to him not being involved in Wimbledon that year.
It remains to be seen how long he is out of action for this time, but Becker is confident the 26-year-old will be fully fit for Wimbledon and sees Murray’s current situation as being a real potential bonus for his prospects at the tournament.
Becker, Germany’s six-time grand slam champion, said: “I have followed him for the last couple of weeks, and he was struggling in Rome and had been struggling in Madrid (at the Masters event there), so this did not come as a surprise.
“We have to admit that clay is not Andy Murray’s strongest surface, and if he goes half-fit into the French Open he can’t possibly win it and he might damage his chances for Wimbledon.
“In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. I think he will be fully fit for Wimbledon. I think he just wants to make sure that his chances at Wimbledon are not affected one bit.
“Pulling out of a tournament, especially a grand slam, is always bad news, but if you consider the big picture, you see where he is coming from – I don’t think it is the end of the world.”