Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker believes that Andy Murray is in no condition to compete at the French Open, which begins this Sunday.
The Scotsman is determined to clinch his first Grand Slam title - starting with Paris. However, due to an ongoing back problem this season, which forced the British number one out of the Madrid Masters earlier this month, Becker believes that Murray should think of his fitness first.
"I worry where Andy is physically," The Telegraph quotes Becker as saying. "Back pain is a disaster on clay. On any other surface you can handle it because you can finish matches quickly, but on clay you have to be ready to play for two or three hours every day. We saw that Andy couldn't handle that in Rome.
"I'm not a doctor, but if he's not fit, the question must be 'Why play at all?' Nobody can win seven matches over the next fortnight without being in decent physical condition, not even Rafael Nadal.
"So if he has no realistic chance of winning a Grand Slam title in Paris, why not get some rest? Have a physical break ahead of the grass-court season. With Wimbledon and the Olympics coming up, that is two big reasons for Andy to think about his long-term health."
Meanwhile, world number two Rafael Nadal heads into the Roland Garros on the back of a title victory at the Rome Open after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.
