Andy Murray handed Australian Open wild card

Former world No1 had earlier accepted invitation to compete in Florida in first week of January

Andy Murray during the Battle of the Brits Premier League in London. Getty

Andy Murray has been handed a wild card entry for February's delayed Australian Open.

The 33-year-old will be back in Melbourne two years after playing what he feared could have proven his final professional match.

The five-time Australian Open runner-up lost in five sets to Roberto Bautista Agut while suffering from chronic hip pain in the first round in 2019.

The world No122 reversed his retirement plans following extensive hip surgery, though, and has also accepted a wild card entry to the ATP event at Florida's Delray Beach in January.

The Briton missed most of the 2020 season due to complications with his hip and struggled for form on his return after the Covid-19 hiatus, suffering a second-round defeat in the US Open before falling in the opening round at Roland Garros.

"We welcome Andy back to Melbourne with open arms," said Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.

"As a five-time finalist he has been an integral part of so many amazing matches and storylines in the recent history of the Australian Open.

"His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and build himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021."

Murray will begin his 2021 season at the Delray Beach Open. The former world No1 will join defending champion Reilly Opelka, top-ranked American John Isner and Canada's Milos Raonic in the Florida field.

The tournament takes place from January 7-13, after being moved from its traditional February slot, and will serve as part of the preparations for the Australian Open, which will begin three weeks later than scheduled on February 8.

Murray, a three-times Grand Slam champion, underwent hip resurfacing surgery in January last year but returned to win the Antwerp title seven months later – his first since 2017.

Last month, Murray said he has been making the most of the pre-season.

"I got on this body fat percentage scale thing, and the read-out that I got from that I wasn't happy with it," he said.

"I've worked hard to get to this point, but I can do better. I could make sure I'm eating better, I can make sure I'm stronger in the gym.

"It's the length of time a boxer would have to train for a big fight, and you can get yourself in great shape in that time."