Andy Murray says missing French Open could help at Queen's

Andy Murray believes that missing the French Open could prove beneficial ahead of Wimbledon as he prepares to return at Queen's next week.

World number two Murray did not play at Roland Garros because of a back injury but is fit for the grass court season.

He said: "Grass takes time to get used to. I've been on the grass for 10 days or so and that's a week longer than if I'd been at the French Open.

"Hopefully [missing the French Open] will turn out to be a blessing."

Murray, 26, won at Queen's in 2009 and 2011, but was beaten in the second round by Frenchman Nicolas Mahut last year before reaching the final of Wimbledon, where he lost to Roger Federer.

He then went on to win Olympic gold and silver at Wimbledon before winning his first major at the US Open last September.

He also reached the final in Australia in January but has not played since pulling out of his match against Marcel Granoller in Rome on his birthday last month.

"I'll be short of matches," he said. "I've done enough training over the last 10 days or so. I actually did a big training block after Monte Carlo so some of that should still be in there too so it's just matches that I'll need.

"Normally, coming from the clay court I'd be match tough, just not used to the surface, whereas this year I won't be match tight but at least I'll have had 10 days on the grass.

"The conditions at Queen's are perfect. It's a great setting and the Centre Court is really, really good so it's perfect preparation. It's also got a lot of history this tournament so it's a nice one to win and do well at and I'll try and have a good run."

After the Aegon Championships at Queen's next week Murray will head to Wimbledon where he will aim to end the 77-year wait for a British winner at SW19.

"I always enjoy playing at Wimbledon," he added.

"I got to play my first final there last year and it was one of the toughest matches for me to lose.

"Even though I played a good match it was a tough one for me but then the Olympics was also an experience I'll never forget; it was one of the best experiences of my life so I'll look forward to going back there."

Murray will be joined at Queen's by fellow top-eight players Tomas Berdych, Juan Martin del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a strong draw which also includes defending champion Marin Cilic and four-time winner Lleyton Hewitt.