• ‘Gap between Melbourne and the French was maybe too long’ • Agassi appointment ‘a good choice’ by Djokovic

Boris Becker has questioned whether Andy Murray will have enough time to strike up a winning rhythm with Ivan Lendl at the French Open, which starts on Sunday, but says reduced expectations at Roland Garros might help the Scot at Wimbledon, where he is champion.

Becker, who reached the semi-finals in Paris three times, said of Lendl’s late arrival before the second slam of the season: “That is their arrangement. That is what worked last year. That was part of the deal but I think, if both were honest, the gap between Melbourne and the French was maybe a little long.

“Even though he hasn’t played great on clay, he’s still the No1 player in the world. He hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis. He just needs a couple of wins to get his confidence back.”

Of Murray’s ordinary season so far, he added: “I understand his struggles. I hope he rediscovers the form which made him so great last year. Obviously clay is not his best surface but I hope he is going to win at least a couple of matches just to be ready for the grass. That is his signature: Queen’s and Wimbledon. But it all starts with the first round in Paris.”

While scrutiny on Novak Djokovic and his new coaching experiment with Andre Agassi has been intense, less has been said outside Britain about Murray’s low-key performances on clay.

Becker, speaking at the announcement that the rebranded Nitto ATP Finals will stay at the O 2 in London until 2020, observed: “Maybe it plays in Andy’s favour now that no one talks about him at the French; maybe it gives him more comfort. I hope so. I like him. I want him to do well.”

Becker nevertheless ranks Djokovic above Murray in challenging the in-form Rafael Nadal, who is in sight of his 10th French Open and has a 17-1 record on clay this year.

Boris Becker: Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi could be a winning combination Read more

“[Nadal] is the favourite but I would include Novak as well. I thought he showed signs of last year’s form in Rome. Behind them I think there is a group of young players – [Alexander] Zverev, [Dominic] Thiem.”

Since Murray lost to Djokovic in last year’s French final, then supplanted him at the top of the world rankings, the life-long rivals have endured alternating highs and lows.

Djokovic, who parted with his experienced coaching staff this month, confirmed on Sunday that Agassi will be in his box, but “for a few matches” while each of them sees if it works.

Becker, who guided Djokovic to six slams in their three years together until December, described Agassi’s appointment as “a good choice” but, as with his reservations about Lendl and Murray, questions the brief lead-in they will have together.

“When I first was asked to work for Novak [in 2013], the original idea was the grand slams only, and I said: ‘I don’t think that is possible. I have to see you more than just a couple of days before grand slams to know where you are. I have to know the ups and downs and really get to know you in lesser tournaments.’

“So I told him: ‘If I am going to do that, I have to be with you more.’”