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[Grabcopy]

Update: This was indeed for April Fools. Our thanks to Judy Murray and Neil Harman for playing along with the story on Twitter. - EdAt a packed press conference at Miami's Crandon Park, Andy Murray has announced his intention to skip the entire 2012 clay court season, including the showpiece French Open. The Scot delivered the massive bombshell just 24 hours ahead of his Sony Ericsson Miami Masters final against Novak Djokovic.

Murray's reasoning is that he wants to focus all his efforts on a serious assault on the Wimbledon title in late June. The stunning move is believed to have been instigated by new coach Ivan Lendl, who himself swerved the Roland Garros major back in 1990 and 1991.

Convinced that his place in history would be better cemented with all four slams under his belt, the Czech-born legend took to practising on grass from early May onwards in the early nineties. But despite this intensive grass-court preparation, Lendl never again went beyond the SW19 semi-final.

Murray, 24, has wholeheartedly backed the move and the pair have already plotted a rigorous grass-court programme at London's Roehampton club.

"I spoke with Ivan and it just makes so much sense," said Murray yesterday. "At the French, I was looking at a semi at best, especially with Rafa around, so it's down to me to get a head start on Nole and the others for my home grand slam. Right now, Wimbledon is my number one goal."

A clearly shocked Neil Harman, tennis correspondent for The Times, said, "Grass practice is all well and good, but it's April and Andy's about to play his last match until Queen's. That's over two months away. He could end up looking foolish when his lack of match sharpness is exposed in London."

Lendl, who reached the Wimbledon singles final in 1986 and 1987, losing to Boris Becker and Pat Cash respectively, is well-known for his contempt for European clay.

"Look at the true greats of the game – Krajicek, Kodes, Savitt and McKinley," the eight-time slam winner told the assembled media. "They were all fine Wimbledon champions whose names need no introduction.

"Compare them with the imposters who won the French: pushers like B. Borg, R. Laver and R. Federer – I mean, who are these guys? Clay is for lightweights playing powderpuff Europiffery. And it turns your socks pink."

[invisibleman18]

Yeah heard this rumoured the other day and the news here has just reported it. Pretty disappointing attitude I'd have to say. The other top players seem plenty capable of playing everything. And what a ******* pathetic attitude towards the greatest players of all time.

[TheMadHatter]

Heard this on twitter but assumed it was just a joke/bull. Stupid decision IMO, he's been improving every year on that surface. Guess this means he can get a ton of practice in for Wimbledon though and the hard court season where he has his best chance, and get a lot of rest too. Must be one of Lendl's strategies.

[Knights]

After the Djokovic match were not going to see Andy until Queens

[Knights]

Why arent there any articles about this? of course its april fools day

[Aileen]

Like the ones Andy gave MW at the end of last year?

[Knights]

It's obvious that this is a prank by Nigel, why would Andy ever decide to skip the whole clay court season?

[colsandbradders]

Oh man, I was seriously freaking out for a moment there.
1. He will lose A TON of points--I'm sure he'd love to finish number 3 or higher this year.
2. Also, clay is Andy's favourite surface!
3. It's too big a risk for Andy to take.
4. Ivan would not say anything about French Open champions being pushers. I think...

Imagine if this did happen and he ended up losing 4th round in Wimby to Wawrinka or something -___-