Andy Murray opts out of Australian Open

Andy Murray

Five-time champion Andy Murray has withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open grand slam tournament beginning February 8.

Murray had been granted a wildcard to play in the tournament's main draw but he tested positive for COVID-19 last week before he was due to fly to Melbourne. "Gutted to share that I won't be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open," Murray said in a statement as per the ATP Tour website.

"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.

Cases of virus strain linked to Oz Open
Sydney: A more contagious variant of COVID-19 first reported in the UK has been detected in three people associated with the Australian Open tennis event, officials have confirmed.

"The residents arrived in Melbourne on a dedicated Australian Open charter flight on 15 January and returned their first positive tests on 15, 17 and 18 January," a spokesperson for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria said on Saturday.