Andy Murray says his time in Rome this week was “positive” despite a second-round defeat alongside Liam Broady in the Italian Open doubles.
The Britons lost 6-3 6-4 to Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Romania’s Horia Tecau, the eighth seeds.
Scot Murray, 33, was playing his second competitive match since early March following a groin injury.
He will be hoping he showed enough fitness and form to persuade French Open organisers to give him a wildcard.
Murray, who had been in the Italian capital to practise with some of the world’s leading players before a late entry into the doubles with Broady as alternates, is hoping to return to singles action in Lyon or Geneva next week.
“I got four practices with top-20 players, which is good,” said the three-time Grand Slam singles champion, whose hitting partners here included world number one Novak Djokovic.
“If we hadn’t got into the doubles I maybe would have got one more before heading off but I got a couple of matches instead.
“It was positive, I’m happy I came over here, learned a bit about my game and where I’m at.”
Murray and Broady beat Australians Max Purcell and Luke Saville 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 10-6 in the first round on Wednesday.
