The two tennis stars will be noticeable by their absence (Picture: Getty)
The French Open 2023 gets underway in Paris on Sunday – but Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu will not be part of the starting field.
The absence of the two biggest stars in British tennis will be a blow to fans back home, who have also been left disappointed at the news that 14-time Roland-Garros champion Rafael Nadal will not take part with a hip injury.
But why exactly are Murray and Raducanu not playing in this year’s French Open?
Here is everything you need to know.
Why isn’t Andy Murray playing in the French Open?
Murray has withdrawn from the French Open to focus instead on the grass court season in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Murray’s absence is voluntary (Picture: Jared Wickerham/ATP)
Despite winning an ATP Challenger event in France, Murray has struggled for form on the clay this season.
The three-time Grand Slam winner, who reached the final in Paris in 2016, has recently suffered first round exits in Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
Before the news was confirmed, Murray had hinted he would skip Roland-Garros to prioritise the grass.
Murray said: ‘It’s not so much about [physical worries].
‘I trust that my body will be OK after what I did at the beginning of the year. I played back-to-back five-hour matches and did well physically in those matches.
‘It’s just what the right thing is to prioritise at this stage in my career. I trust my body now but I’m aware that my best chance of having a deep run is more likely to happen at Wimbledon.’
Why isn’t Emma Raducanu playing in the French Open?
Raducanu will miss the French Open having undergone surgery at the start of May on both of her hands as well as her left ankle.
Raducanu has endured a difficult time with injury (Picture: Robert Prange/Getty Images)
She has also confirmed she will not play at Wimbledon in July as she continues her recovery.
Taking to Instagram to update fans, Raducanu said: ‘It is safe to say the last 10 months have been difficult as I dealt with a recurring injury on a bone of both hands.
‘I tried my best to manage the pain and play through it for most of this year and end of last year by reducing practice load dramatically, missing weeks of training as well as cutting last season short to try heal it.
‘Unfortunately, it’s not enough. I’m having a minor procedure done on both hands to resolve the issues.’
The 20 year-old added: ‘I’m disappointed to share that I will be out for the next few months and while I am at it I will have another minor procedure that is due on my ankle.
‘It pains me that I will miss the summer events and I tried to down play the issues to thank all my fans who continued to support me when you did not know the facts.’
Raducanu’s last game was at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in April – a bruising first-round defeat to Jelena Ostapenko in just 59 minutes.
The defeat in Germany was her third straight loss following exits at the Miami Open and Indian Wells in March.
Raducanu has also dropped out of the world top 100 for the first time since her fairytale win at the US Open in 2021.
MORE : Emma Raducanu targeting US Open return, says Johanna Konta
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Disappointment for the Brits.
