(Reuters) – Andy Murray, Britain ‘s top number in the world, received a wild card for the Australian Open in February, competition director Craig Tiley said on Sunday.
The main draw entry for the first Grand Slam of 2021 comes two years after Murray, the five-time Melbourne runner, played what he feared would be the last professional game there, losing in the first round to Roberto Bautista Agut in Spain.
“We welcome Andy back to Melbourne with open arms,” said Tiley.
“It was an emotional time when he retired and he sees him coming back, having undergone major surgery and picked himself up to go on tour. Again, a key focus for AO 2021. ”
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, went on to hip replacement surgery in January last year but returned to win the Antwerp title nine months later.
He missed most of the 2020 season due to problems with his hip and was struggling for shape when he returned after a COVID-19 hiatus, suffering a second-round loss in the U.S. Open. before falling in the opening round at Roland Garros.
The 33-year-old will begin his 2021 season at Delray Beach Open next month after accepting a wild card for the ATP 250 tournament.
The Australian Open was pushed back three weeks to start on February 8 due to COVID-19 measures.
Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Edited by Hugh Lawson