Andy Murray and Dan Evans pull out of next week’s curtain-raiser in Delray Beach… with fears over how Florida’s strict anti-Covid protocols could hit their Australian Open preparation
- Andy Murray and Dan Evans have pulled out of next week’s event in Delray Beach
- Both will take a more direct route to the Australian Open, set for February 2021
- It is understood the pair are wary of the strict anti-Covid restrictions in Florida
Andy Murray has joined Dan Evans in withdrawing from next week’s season-opening event in Delray Beach, although neither appears to be injured.
Instead they seem to have resolved that their preparations for the Australian Open are better served by taking a more direct route there, rather than going via Florida.
In Murray’s case it means handing back the wildcard he accepted just prior to Christmas, and he has disappeared from tournament publicity for next week advertising his appearance.
Andy Murray (left) and Dan Evans (right) have pulled out of next week’s event in Delray Beach
The British duo faced each other during the Battle of the Brits tournament in December 2020
Evans, who pulled out before Christmas, was a direct entry and is heading straight to Australia in mid-January, with players given a two-day window to arrive before going into their quarantine period.
While a spokesperson for Murray was not immediately available for comment, it is believed the thinking is connected to strict anti-Covid protocols at the Delray Beach event and the implications for Australia.
If there is deemed to have been any contact there with someone who has tested positive then it could mean being barred from travelling to Melbourne, so the risks of making the trip to the US are not insignificant.
Sir Andy, currently ranked 122 in the world, was granted a wildcard for the Australian Open
The former Davis Cup team-mates are practice partners for the Australian Open’s first week
Murray looked in decent enough shape when beating Evans and GB number three Cam Norrie at the latest ‘Battle of the Brits’ exhibition played last week.
He has already been granted a wildcard for the Australian Open, which he needs as his ranking of 122 is insufficiently high to get in automatically.
Under Australian Open quarantine rules players must choose one practice partner for the first week, with Murray and Evans opting to go with each other.