MELBOURNE (Australia): Former world No.1 Andy Murray has withdrawn from this year’s Australian Open after failing to find a “workable quarantine” following his recovery from the coronavirus.
The Briton has finished his period of self-isolation and had hoped to compete in the first Grand Slam of 2021.
But the former Wimbledon and US Open champion said he could not find a way of getting to Australia and then quarantining ahead of the tournament’s scheduled start on February 8.
“Gutted to share that I won’t be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open,” Murray said.
Murray would have had to head to Australia by Saturday to ensure he could observe the mandatory two-week hotel quarantine period.
“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,” he added.
Murray, a five-time Australian Open runner-up, was unable to travel on one of the charter flights laid on by tournament organisers after recording a positive test.
