Story highlights Andy Murray calls French Open fans "tough"

Admits he "never felt comfortable" on clay

(CNN) Andy Murray is the first to acknowledge he's "just not playing good tennis" right now, but the world No. 1 has more than just clay-court travails to worry about ahead of this month's French Open.

Traveling to Roland Garros on the back of consecutive defeats, Murray singled out the discerning Parisian crowds, telling CNN the atmosphere differs drastically to other tournaments.

"I think the fans are tough on the players," said the Scot. "They love good tennis.

"They are very knowledgeable and if a player maybe isn't giving his best effort or is behaving badly, the crowd will let you know about that."

Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 Wimbledon champion, Olympic gold medalist and world No.1 -- Andy Murray could hardly have had a better 2016. Hide Caption 1 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 In January's Australian Open, Murray defeated hotshot Alexander Zverev, David Ferrer and Milos Raonic on his way to a fourth Melbourne final against Novak Djokovic. The Serb went on to prevail in three sets, continuing Murray's wait at the year's first major. Hide Caption 2 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 He won his first title of 2016 at the Italian Open in Rome, downing Djokovic in the final to lift the trophy without conceding a set. Hide Caption 3 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 It was the perfect preparation for the French Open, with Murray seeing off big servers Ivo Karlović and John Isner in the early rounds at Roland Garros, before defeating Richard Gasquet and defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the final. It all led to yet another showdown against Djokovic, but the Serb was once again too strong. Hide Caption 4 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 Suddenly the grass court season was upon us, with Murray announcing he would resume working with former coach Ivan Lendl. At London's Queen's Club in June, the Scot came from a set and a break down to defeat Raonic and win a tournament-best fifth title. Hide Caption 5 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 And it wouldn't be long until a second Wimbledon crown was his, with Murray capitalizing on the early exits of Djokovic and seven-time champion Roger Federer to beat Raonic in the final. Hide Caption 6 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 The tears flowed freely as Murray basked in the adulation of his home crowd, citing Wimbledon as "the most important tournament for me every year." Hide Caption 7 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 Murray now needed to retain his Olympic tennis singles title, and defeated the likes of Fabio Fognini, Steve Johnson and Kei Nishikori to reach a sixth consecutive final that year. He made no mistake in the gold medal match, beating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in a pulsating four-set affair. Hide Caption 8 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 But the winning streak couldn't go on forever, with Murray beaten in the final of the Cincinnati Masters by Cilic -- the first man other Djokovic to defeat him in a Tour final since Federer in 2012. Murray was also sent packing early in the US Open, with Nishikori winning their quarterfinal in five sets. Hide Caption 9 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 He quickly arrested the slump, finding his form as Djokovic began to struggle. In October, Murray won the China Open for the first time and followed it with a win at the Shanghai Masters. Hide Caption 10 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 And he continued his win streak in Austria, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final to move within a thousand points of Djokovic in the ATP race rankings. Hide Caption 11 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 When Djokovic crashed out of the Paris Masters 1000 in the quarterfinal, Murray had a chance to become world No. 1 if he reached the final. He went one better, beating John Isner for his 19th consecutive match win. Hide Caption 12 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 What better way to end the year than yet another tournament win? Murray beat all four players directly below him in the rankings to win the ATP World Tour Finals in London, ending the year on a 24-match unbeaten streak. Hide Caption 13 of 14 Photos: Murray's majestic 2016 He ended the year as the undisputed world No. 1. Hide Caption 14 of 14

He's not the first to feel the heat.