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BNP Paribas Primrose Bordeaux gets an unexpected boost as it has a star-studded field with Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem.
The trio have struggled for form recently and will get some much-needed playing time on clay ahead of the French Open, taking advantage of the May 14-20 ATP Challenger Tour event at Villa Primrose.
His entry into the lead is especially surprising given that he will compete in the Madrid Open this week and the Italian Open on May 8.
The former world No. 1 endured a nightmare run last month, losing in the opening rounds of the Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters, and is now ranked 52 on the ATP Rankings.
Following his exit in Monte Carlo, there were signs of questioning whether or not he would play at Roland Garros, but his entry in Madrid, Rome and now Bordeaux suggests he will line up in Paris.
«I was feeling good and moving well in practice, so I was optimistic,» Murray said after his loss in the title. “But it was very disappointing and I haven’t felt like this many times in my career on the court. It was really hard. «
Wawrinka, the three-time major champion, has been heavily injured after showing promise earlier in the year after injury woes. He reached back-to-back quarterfinals in Rotterdam and Montpellier, but made early exits in Monte Carlo and Banja Luka.
Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, reached the quarterfinals in Estoril and Munich, but is far from replicating the form that saw him reach the finals of 2018 and 2019 Roland Garros.
But British No. 2 Dan Evans (currently ranked 24th) is not the only three Grand Slam winners, as 28 players are ranked among the top 100 players in the ATP rankings.
🔸List of registered players🔸
You’ve been waiting for it: here is the list of top 100 ✨ registered players
The final list will be available on May 13, 2023.
🗓 May 14, 2023
🎟Ticket Office:- https://t.co/llCOMkd9pQ#BNPprimrose #tennis #Bordeaux pic.twitter.com/E32fMsAIqe
— BNP PARIBAS PRIMROSE (@BNPPprimrose) April 25, 2023
Other top 100 players include world No. 43 Richard Gaschet, world No. 65 Jan-Lenard Struff and world No. 68 Luka van Asse, who upset Wawrinka in Banja Luka last week.
Former champion and former world number 7 Gael Monfils, who has been sidelined for a long time due to injury, will be down to 322.
“I am very happy to return to play the BNP Paribas Primrose tournament after 10 years since my title here. It is an annual competition. See you soon at the courts of Villa Primrose,” said the Frenchman.
Read more: Andy Murray delivers tough Madrid Open draw
