‘Patience does it for Andy’

The world number two goes into the year’s second Grand Slam as one of the big favourites to lift the title at Roland Garros. 

Having failed to make a final on the surface until last year and managing just one victory over a top10 player, Murray can now boast three titles and wins over both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Stepanek said: “His improvement on clay in the last year was tremendous. I think Andy was missing patience in the years before. I think he now has everything settled down for him on clay. 

“He feels the game right. His last results are proof of that. He will come to the tournament with a lot of confidence.” 

Stepanek has played Murray earlier this month in Madrid and took a set off the Scot. So he knows what he is talking. The Czech, a self-confessed awkward player, can boast two wins from eight previous meetings with Murray and is a player the 29-year-old would have hoped to avoid when the qualifiers were placed.

At 37, Stepanek is not only the oldest player in the field but also the oldest to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors competed at the US Open in 1992 just short of his 40th birthday.

“It’s not that far,” said Stepanek, who is ranked 129th. “It’s nice to be in a group with Jimmy Connors who has done so much for the game. I think he played with the same amount of emotions as I do and that’s what I love about him and obviously it’s going to be a challenge maybe to be older than him and be here still.” 

Weather permitting, Murray and Stepanek will play in the fourth match on Philippe Chatrier. Rain dominated the opening day, with only 10 matches able to be completed.