Andy Murray to make competitive return in June at event organised by brother Jamie
Andy Murray’s management agency say that he is planning to make his first competitive appearance for over six months in the upcoming event organised by his brother Jamie in late June.
The event – which is expected to be announced on Thursday, or at worst before the end of the week – will probably follow a similar group-based model to the ATP Finals, and take place at a London venue that is yet to be confirmed.
Murray’s last match was a narrow victory over the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor at November’s Davis Cup, after which he admitted that he had been hampered by a pelvic bone bruise.
His recovery has been slow but the long Covid layoff has at least enabled him to build up his strength gradually and he recently told his friend Nick Kyrgios in an Instagram Live chat that “When things get back to normal, I think I will be alright”.
As for the British Tour events which will begin in early July, and were announced on Wednesday by the Lawn Tennis Association, it is expected that Murray will see how his body responds to this initial outing before deciding whether to participate or not.
The LTA said four British Tour events would be held between July 3-26, subject to confirmation of government requirements.
"Since the coronavirus crisis, we have been working incredibly hard to support all our players, venues, coaches and officials through this very challenging time," LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement.
"I'm delighted to announce today the next stage of elite tennis's return to competing safely behind closed doors as part of a five-phase plan coordinated by UK Sport with Government."
Recreational tennis has already resumed with clubs allowed to open under strict health protocols.
The British Tour events will all be staged over three days at the LTA's National Tennis Centre in Roehampton with each event hosting 32 singles players (16 men and 16 women) with eligibility based on rankings.
