(Reuters) – Former champion Andy Murray has been handed a wild card for this month’s Miami Open, tournament organizers said Monday.
The number one outside Britain at level one, who has fallen to 116 in the ranks after a long injury due to hip surgeries, is a Miami Open champion twice to win the title in 2009 and 2013.
“It’s inspiring to see Andy back in Miami,” Miami Open Championship director and former player James Blake said in a press release.
“As someone who has had to fight back from injury during his career, I understand and respect the hard work that Andrew has put in to get back on track.”
Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray has had a starting year after being able to fly to the Australian Open after testing positive for COVID-19.
Briton, 33-years-old’s last competition was the Rotterdam Open where he was beaten by Russia’s Andrey Rublev two weeks ago. He then decided to sit out at the Dubai Championships this week after his wife gave birth to their fourth child.
The Miami Open, featuring 74 of the top 77 men on record, is expected to run from March 22-April 4.
Reporting with Frank Pingue in Toronto; Edited by Ken Ferris