Murray’s decision to only play in the doubles increases his chances of winning an Olympic medal in Paris, according to Australian doubles legend Mark Woodforde.

“The doubles does present his best opportunity to win a medal,” Woodforde, who won gold alongside Todd Woodbridge at the 1996 Games, told BBC Sport.

“He’s faced with the retirement issue and it is testament to his stature that he is willing to give it a crack in the doubles with Dan.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to go deep and they will be a tough pair for any country to face.

“I think the Murray/Evans combination is really one of the dark horses for the medals.”

Woodforde, who also won 16 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles, says half of the workload makes the clay “less taxing” for 37-year-old Murray.

“If he competed in singles, it might have impacted his ability to be ready for the doubles and had a negative impact,” he said.

“It could have been an early departure in both events, so the big decision he ultimately had to make was ‘I’ve got a partner who can help me with the loads’.

“It is just not as demanding for him on the doubles court.

“In singles there is the propensity of longer points because of the high bounce of the court, the pace is taken off because of the surface and the sliding as well.

“You’re coming from the grass swing, too, where it is more or less a transition going forward, but on clay you have to incorporate going back as well as side to side. In doubles you’re not going left and right and sliding quite as much.

“For these guys playing singles, that’s where different balls, higher bouncing, can affect the shoulders and the knees are an area where you are really tested out.

“So the tough part for both singles and doubles in this event is making sure your body can withstand the rigours.”