After a five-year hiatus, former world No. 1 Andy Murray is set to make his first appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters since 2017.
A series of withdrawals from top players has paved the way for Murray to enter the main draw without participating in the qualifying rounds. As tennis fans eagerly await the Brit's return to the iconic ATP 1000 clay-court tournament, there's an air of uncertainty surrounding Murray's ultimate decision.
In 2017, Andy Murray's run in the Monte Carlo Masters was cut short in the Round of 16 by Spain's Albert Ramos. Since then, Murray has faced numerous challenges, including career-threatening injuries and surgeries.
In the past, the Monte-Carlo Masters was one of the least successful ATP Masters 1000 events for Murray. He played at it the least amount of times, nine, and same as the Indian Wells, he has never won it.
Now, as he receives an unexpected opportunity to return to Monte Carlo, the question arises: will he choose to seize the moment or withdraw to prioritize his health and concentrate on the grass-court season?
Over the years, Murray has excelled on grass courts, with his two Wimbledon titles and an Olympic gold medal on home soil in 2012. With this in mind, it's not unreasonable to assume that Murray may opt for a strategic withdrawal from the Monte-Carlo Masters.
By doing so, he could focus on regaining his form and preserving his health for the upcoming grass-court events, where he has historically enjoyed greater success.
However, the possibility of Murray making a triumphant return to Monte Carlo cannot be dismissed. A strong performance at the prestigious tournament could serve as a major confidence booster and an opportunity to gauge his current level of play.