Andy Murray handed 2021 Australian Open wildcard as former British number one prepares for first Melbourne appearance since nearly retiring from tennis in 2019
- Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for February’s Australian Open
- The 33-year-old nearly retired from tennis two years ago due to a hip injury
- A special tribute video was shown to Murray after his last Melbourne trip in 2019
- Murray has played in two Grand Slams since but has won his last two matches
Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for February’s Australian Open – two years after fearing he played his last ever tennis match in Melbourne.
The former British number one was reduced to tears in his last appearance in the Australia Grand Slam as the 33-year-old felt he would not recover from a hip injury after a first round defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut in 2019.
Murray missed the rest of the 2019 Grand Slam season and was absent for last year’s tournament in Melbourne but the Scot returned to the elite level tennis earlier this year and will be drafted into the men’s side of the draw this year.
Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the 2021 Australian Open starting in February
The 33-year-old (left) nearly retired after losing in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: ‘We welcome Andy back to Melbourne with open arms. His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get on to the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021.’
Murray has also been given a wildcard to the ATP event in Delray Beach, Florida in the first week of January.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is a five-time finalist at the Australian Open though has not appeared at that stage of the tournament in five years.
Murray lost the first one to Roger Federer in 2010 before being beaten by reigning champion Novak Djokovic in each of the remaining four final appearances.
Murray (right) has been beaten in five Melbourne finals – including four to Novak Djokovic (left)
However, Murray has featured in just two Grand Slam tournaments since his 2019 appearance in Melbourne, which ended with a tribute video being shown to the Briton amid rumours of his retirement.
The 33-year-old was knocked out in the US Open second round to Felix Auger-Aliassime before being beaten by Stan Wawrinka at the delayed French Open earlier this year.
Murray is set to come into the 2021 season in good form after beating Cameron Norrie and British number one Dan Evans in the ‘Battle of the Brits’ event earlier in December.
Murray (above) won his two Battle of the Brits matches against Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans
This year’s Australian Open will take place slightly later than usual due to the coronavirus outbreak. The January tournament will start on February 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Players have been asked to arrive in Melbourne by the middle of January in order to quarantine before the tournament – though they will be allowed to train in their bio-secure bubbles during this period.
Tiley has confirmed that tennis’ top stars, including Roger Federer, have committed to playing in Melbourne despite the health risks.