Sydney (dpa)
Scottish tennis star Andy Murray received a wild card invitation to participate in the Australian Open, the first of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the new season.
Murray returns to the Australian Open next month, after a three-year absence.
Australian Open president Craig Tilly said former world number one Murray deserved a wild card despite falling to 134th in the world rankings due to frequent injuries and hip surgeries in recent years.
“Having qualified for the final five times, Andy Murray has many unforgettable moments at the Australian Open,” said Tilley on Thursday.
“He is known for his fighting spirit, passion and love for the game and I am delighted to have him back in Melbourne in January,” he added.
Murray lost to Roger Federer in the 2010 Australian Open final, then lost the final four times to Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
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