FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Andy Murray hits a shot during his final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 31, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
December 23, 2021
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Former world number one Andy Murray has been handed a wild card into the main draw of next month’s Australian Open, the tournament organisers said on Thursday.
The Briton, down at 134th in the world rankings after long injury lay-offs due to hip surgery, has reached the final five times at Melbourne Park – the last of them in 2016 – though has never claimed the crown.
“I’m really excited to be back playing at the Australian Open,” the 34-year-old said. “I’ve had some great times in Australia playing in front of the amazing crowds and I can’t wait to step back out on court at Melbourne Park.”
Murray, a three-times Grand Slam champion, last played the hardcourt major in 2019. He received a wildcard in 2021 too but was unable to compete at the year’s opening major after testing positive for COVID-19.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Pravin Char)
Source: One America News Network
