Greg Rusedski expects Andy Murray to play in the French Open.
The world number two gave a pessimistic assessment of his back problem after pulling out of the Masters event in Rome on Wednesday, stating he would be “very surprised” if he made it to Paris.
Murray struggled with the injury during the clay-court season last year and revealed he has experienced pain on and off for the past 18 months.
The Scot will have a scan today before sitting down with his team to decide whether or not to play at Roland Garros.
With Wimbledon coming only two weeks after the French Open and the US Open later in the summer, where he will defend his first grand slam title, Murray is keen to make sure he does not compromise his chances at either of those tournaments.
Rusedski, though, thinks the 26-year-old will be extremely reluctant to miss such an important event.
The former British number one said: “It’s a concern but most players have various injuries and niggles during their careers. Once he gets the results of the scan then we’ll know more but if there’s a chance he can play I think he’ll go for it. If he wants to be world number one, which I’m sure is one of his goals, then it’s a massive tournament.
“Of course he’s got to think about his future and if it’s something that could affect the rest of his career. He’s also got a tremendous amount of points to defend later in the summer but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that he’ll play.”
If fit, Murray will go into Wimbledon as one of the big favourites having reached his first final last year, where he led Roger Federer by a set before losing in four.
The Scot’s mother, Judy, indicated that will be at the front of his mind when he makes the decision whether or not to go to Paris.
“Obviously the goal is to be in peak condition for Wimbledon,” she said. “The scan will let him see what the injury is and what needs to be done.
“Often you pick up niggles when you change surfaces. It’s not so easy on the clay. There is a lot more twisting and turning. He needs to be cautious and I’m sure Wimbledon will be his priority.”
Clay has always been the surface Murray finds most difficult, and he has yet to reach an ATP World Tour final on the red stuff.
His best performance at Roland Garros came in 2011 when, having overcome an ankle injury suffered early in the tournament, he went on to reach the semi-finals before losing to Rafael Nadal.