Andy Murray is set to return to action next week at the Citi Open in Washington DC.
“Ultimately this was an opportunity for me,” said Murray.
“I had a good chance of having a proper run for the first time in a long time at a Slam. I didn’t take it.”
Murray’s next Grand Slam opportunity will be at the US Open at the end of August, but where will he play before then? And will he be able to improve his ranking enough to be seeded in New York?
What is Murray’s schedule this summer?
First on the agenda for Murray is the ATP 500 Citi Open in Washington DC.
The tournament starts on July 29 and this year will be a combined ATP and WTA event.
With the field weakened by the withdrawals of Daniil Medvedev and defending champion Nick Kyrgios, Murray might sense an opportunity.
He will be one of the headline names along with American duo Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Murray lost in three sets to Mikael Ymer in the first round in Washington last year.
After playing the Citi Open it appears likely that Murray will play the back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati. The Canadian Open in Toronto starts on August 7 and is followed by the Cincinnati Open on August 13.
Murray has won both events multiple times, but has not enjoyed much success at either in recent years.
He was beaten in the first round of the Canadian Open last year as he made his return following a six-year absence.
He has played the Cincinnati Open for the last five years in a row but has only managed four wins.
Last year he beat Stan Wawrinka before losing to fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in three sets.
Wimbledon highlights: Tsitsipas ends Murray run, Djokovic and Sabalenka seal wins
Given his 2022 record at both events there is a chance to pick up ranking points.
Murray is not currently on the entry list for the Winston-Salem Open, which is played in the week before the US Open, but there could be a chance to take a wild card depending how he fares in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Murray played Winston-Salem in 2019 and 2021.
The US Open, which is the final Grand Slam of the season, starts on August 28.
Will Murray be seeded for the US Open?
One of Murray’s long-term aims has been to secure a seeded spot at a Grand Slam.
To guarantee a seeded spot a player needs to be ranked inside the top 32 in the world ahead of the Grand Slam. Murray is currently at No. 42 and is 270 points behind world No. 32 Christopher Eubanks.
There are plenty of points on offer across Murray’s expected upcoming three events, but at least one deep run will likely be needed to climb enough places to be seeded in New York.
At the Citi Open, Murray would get 90 points from making the quarters, 180 from the semis, 300 for being runner-up, and 500 for lifting the trophy.
Those totals are doubled at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Andy Murray won the US Open in 2012
Image credit: Getty Images
Murray hoping to ‘find motivation again’
Murray appeared in a reflective mood after his defeat to Tsitsipas at Wimbledon.
Having started the grass season so positively, he was disappointed that it ended in such a deflating fashion at his home Grand Slam.
While he said he had no immediate plans to retire, the loss was a tough one to take.
“Motivation is obviously a big thing. Continuing having early losses in tournaments like this doesn’t necessarily help with that.
“It’s similar to I guess last year. I had a long think about things, spoke to my family, decided to keep on going. I don’t plan to stop right now. But, yeah, this one will take a little while to get over. Hopefully I find the motivation again to keep training, keep pushing, try and keep getting better.
“Obviously, you never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here. The defeats maybe feel a bit tougher.”
“I still think he can do a lot of good stuff,” said Jamie.
“I always expect him to perform well and win matches because I know the level he can produce.”
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