Andy Murray set for return to action for first time in over TWO months as brother Jamie teams up with LTA for the third Battle of the Brits competition in London
- Andy Murray has not played since losing to Fernando Verdasco in Cologne
- The Scot has been suffering with tendonitis ever since his US Open exit
- But he has agreed to return to play in the third Battle of the Brits in Roehampton
- The tournament next week takes place at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre
Andy Murray will return to action for the first time in more than two months when he takes part in the third Battle of the Brits in London before Christmas.
The former world No1 has not stepped onto the court since a straight-sets defeat by Fernando Verdasco in the first round of an ATP event in Cologne in mid October.
But now the Scot – who has suffered recurrent issues with tendonitis in his left psoas since the US Open – has agreed to play in the tournament, organised by brother Jamie , at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton next week from December 20 to 23.
Andy Murray will return to action in the third Battle of the Brits competition later this month
Murray has not played since a straight-sets defeat by Fernando Verdasco in mid-October
The tournament – called the Battle of the Brits Premier League Tennis – has been designed to help British players play themselves into form before a potential trip Down Under for the start of the 2021 season in Australia.
The competition will involve 16 players playing in a league format of 30 matches, with each participant playing a minimum of one match during the four days of the tournament.
Tiebreaks for deciding sets form part of the rules, with three points granted for a win against a player in the top 250 of the world rankings, two points for those ranked between positions 251 and 600 and one point for winning a set despite losing the match.
But now he has agreed to play in the four-day tournament organised by brother Jamie (left)
The Murray brothers will be joined by the likes of Cameron Norrie at the National Tennis Centre
British No1 Dan Evans – who won the first edition of the Battle of the Brits in June by beating Kyle Edmund in the final before August’s team event – will also be in action alongside Cameron Norrie, Heather Watson and Harriet Dart.
Jamie Murray said: ‘All the players were keen to get the chance to test themselves before the season begins.
‘It is been such an unusual year, with so many disruptions that any competitive tennis people can get is welcome.
Heather Watson (right) and Harriet Dart (left) will also be in action at least once
‘Even in pre-season nobody likes to lose to their friends, so we’re expecting some tight matches.’
LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd welcomed the initiative as focus turns towards the 2021 Australian Open.
‘We want to do all we can to help British players prepare for the season ahead,’ he said.
Dan Evans won the first edition of the Battle of the Brits in June after beating Kyle Edmund
‘Despite being indoors, the matches will be on a similar type of court surface as at Melbourne and using the same balls to try and replicate conditions in Australia as closely as we can.
‘Hopefully the players will make the most of the opportunity to get some competitive matches under their belt.’
Fans will be able to watch the tournament via live streaming through the LTA’s social media channels and YouTube.