By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, January 22, 2021
Andy Murray officially withdrew from the Australian Open because he was unable to create a workable quarantine solution with Tennis Australia.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Quarantine killed Andy Murray's Australian Open comeback.
The former world No. 1 officially withdrew from the Melbourne major because he was unable to create a workable quarantine solution with Tennis Australia.
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A week ago, Murray tested positive for Coronavirus. That positive test prevented Murray from boarding the AO charter to Melbourne and ultimately forced him out of the tournament.
Players, coaches and officials are required to spend a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Australia.
“Gutted to share that I won’t be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open," Murray said in a statement. "We’ve been in constant dialogue with Tennis Australia to try and find a solution which would allow some form of workable quarantine, but we couldn’t make it work.
"I want to thank everyone there for their efforts, I’m devastated not to be playing out in Australia. It's a country and tournament that I love.”
The Australian Open is set to start on February 8th. Murray joins Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner and Cristian Garin in pulling out of the season's first Grand Slam.
Tennis Australia had granted five-time AO finalist Murray a wild card. His departure from the draw means the TA can reassign that wild card.
Murray withdrew from the Delray Beach Open earlier this month in an effort to minimize his risk of contracting Coronavirus.
The two-time Olympic gold medal champion's last appearance in Melbourne was his emotional 2019 first-round loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in what the former world No. 1 believed was his final AO appearance as he struggled with his movement following hip surgery.
In the waning stages of Bautista Agut's 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-2 Australian Open first-round win over Murray, the entire crowd—including mom Judy Murray and brother Jamie Murray—stood and showered Murray with a sustained ovation.
An emotional Murray responded waving his Head racquet in response.
"Amazing," Murray told former coach Mark Petchey, who conducted the on-court interview. "I think I'm gonna be all right. That was incredible. Thank you so, so much to everyone who came out tonight. I've honestly loved playing here over the years. It's an amazing place to play tennis.
"If this was my last match I gave literally everything I had. It wasn't enough tonight. Congratulations to Roberto and his team. Maybe I'll see you again. I'll do everything possible to try. If I want to go again I'll need to have a big operation, which is no guarantee I'll be able to come back but I'll give it my best shot. Thanks again. Cheers."
Murray conceded he thought his competitive career could be done prior to his comeback from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent on January 28th, 2019 following that tearful Australian Open exit.
It was Murray's second hip surgery in a year. Nearly 10 months after his second surgery, Murray claimed his 46th career title and first since Dubai in February of 2017 when he fought off Stan Wawrinka, 3-6 6-4 6-4 in front of a packed house at the European Open in Antwerp. Murray concluded 2019 with an 11-7 record earning ATP Comeback Player of the Year honors.
At the Western & Southern Open last August, Murray surprised fifth-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 scoring his first Top 10 win in three years.
It was Murray's first Top 10 win since he defeated ninth-ranked Kei Nishikori in the 2017 Roland Garros quarterfinals.
The 2021 Australian Open is set for February 8-21st.