Former World No. 1 Andy Murray given wildcard entry into Wimbledon Championships this year
The 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon winner ranks 124, outside the cut-off for direct qualification. Murray will join fellow Brits in Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Liam Broady, Jay Clarke and 19-year-old Jack Draper who stunned Jannik Sinner at Queen’s, and this comes as quite the surprise.
Murray’s last appearance in singles at SW19 was in 2017, where he lost to American Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals. He returned to Queen’s after three years beating Benoit Paire in straight sets yesterday. The Brit has played only three matches in singles competition in 2021.
Murray underwent hip resurfacing surgery in January 2019 and his comeback hasn’t exactly gone his way with various niggling injuries since then. The surgery hampered his career after which he also planned to retire amidst an episode of depression.
Does Murray deserve a Wildcard?
The Olympic Gold winner is nowhere near the same player he was in his prime. A part of the Big 4, he slowly faded away after suffering injuries which required extensive surgery. Murray reached his peak in 2016 when he became World No. 1. He beat Novak Djokovic in the finals of the ATP World Tour Finals, to claim this outstanding landmark.
Murray is hoping to have one last blast before he is forced to announce his retirement. His emotional comeback at Queen’s is a sign that there is still a lot left in the tank. The 3-time Grand Slam winner is hoping to improve his ranking in this calendar year.
Wimbledon is Murray’s favourite surface by far. He became the first Brit in 2014 to win the Championships since Fred Perry. Murray is better equipped despite his injuries to perform at SW 19. Against Paire, there were a lot of moments of his vintage old self.
Murray will be hoping to continue this form into Wimbledon 2021 after a long absence. The wildcard serves as a good means for him to display some of his best tennis against the big guns.
Of course, it won’t be easy for Murray. Djokovic comes into this tournament in great form after winning both slams this year.
Then there is the rising stars such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will also have a claim for the crown. Wildcards are often handed out for emotional reasons and this could be one of them.
Murray will go down as one of the best to have come out of the region. Injuries took its toll on the star but handing him a wildcard certainly gives him one last swansong at ‘home’.
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