Andy Murray to compete at inaugural Gijon Open, as he looks to improve ATP ranking ahead of Australian Open

ByYara El-Shaboury

Published 07/10/2022 at 10:30 GMT

Andy Murray has accepted a wildcard spot at the inaugural Gijon Open, a brand-new ATP 250 event in Spain. Ranked at No. 43 in the world at present, the Brit wants to better his chances of a good draw at next year's first Grand Slam of the new season, the Australian Open. Murray is also desperate to improve his fitness after a gruelling Laver Cup defeat and put his cramping issues in the past.

Andy Murray will compete in the inaugural Gijon Open as he looks to get a good seeding ahead of the Australian Open.

Murray hasn’t competed in a singles ATP event since his early exit in the US Open last month.

It’s clear that the former world No. 1 is heading to Spain to pick up as many ranking points as he possibly can.

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Should he perform well at the Gijon Open and any other tournaments he takes part in this calendar year, he could head to the Australian Open, which is set to start on January 16, with a better ranking behind him.

Murray’s inclusion in the tournament as a wildcard entry means that the cramping issues that he has struggled with this season are not as serious as previously thought.

After his first-round defeat in the Citi Open, Murray candidly spoke about the problem saying: “I [have] struggled a little bit with [cramping] the past two tournaments. I need to have a little look at that with my team and maybe see why that is, make a few changes.

“In terms of the training off the court and on the practice court, I'll have to look at that as well and see if there's more that I could be doing, maybe different ways of practising to help with that.

"Scheduling training more in the heat of the day at 3pm or 4pm rather than 10am when it's not quite as humid, not quite as warm, not quite as helpful. There are a few things I can look at.”

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Before the US Open, Murray had undergone sweat tests which gave little insight into what the problem might be.

"The sweat test was good, blood test was good," he said. "No illnesses. I know now it is down to conditioning, hydration or food related. That is something I can obviously control a little bit as well."

The Brit will also be using the Gijon Open to improve his general fitness ahead of the first Grand Slam next year, admitting that he was hit hard by his defeat to Alex de Minaur at the Laver Cup.

“I felt very tired at the end of the match. I think like emotionally the last few days, I don’t know exactly why because it’s not me that’s finishing playing,” he said.

“I just ran out of a bit of steam at the end and they were trying to encourage me to try and, you know, sort of increase my energy levels and stuff at the end of the set and I did try in the end of the second, but I was tired.”

After his win, De Minaur said: “Andy is a hell of a competitor. He’s done so much for the sport. I’m just grateful to have him around.”

The Gijon Open main draw will start on Monday, October 10.

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