Andy Murray believes he can still play at the Australian Open as he plots return to action

Australian Open
Andy Murray watching tribute video at Australian Open

Former world No 1 Andy Murray is still hopeful of playing in next month’s Australian Open, despite testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this month.

Australian Open chiefs appeared to rule Murray out of the event after he was unable to take up his place on one of the scheduled flights heading to Australia, as they suggested he may have to look to 2022 to play in the event again.

However, Murray has not pulled out of the competition and his mother Judy has now confirmed that he is looking into the option to travel to Australia ahead of a tournament that starts on February 8th.

“He’s doing okay,” Judy told the BBC. “I think he gets out today so he can resume some training. And then, of course, it’s a question of waiting and seeing whether he is able to fly out to Australia and take part. Nobody knows the answer to that one yet.”

Judy also confirmed she has been in contact with her other son Jamie, who is preparing for the first Grand Slam of 2021 in unusual circumstances.

“Jamie was one of the fortunate ones who was on a clear flight which means he is allowed out of his hotel room for 5 hours a day,” she added.

“He gets a knock on the door at half-past six in the morning. He can walk across to the courts. He can practice for a couple of hours. He can do 90 mins of gym and 60 mins of food. And then walk back to the hotel room. And he is back in his hotel room at half-past 11. And that’s it for him for the rest of the day.

“He is in a more fortunate position than many of the players, including Heather Watson, who are really locked down for 14 days for 24/7 and are making the best of whatever is in the hotel room to do whatever kind of physical training they are able to.”

Some players who have not made it to Australia are talking to authorities about the prospect of flying to Melbourne in the coming days, yet there is opposition among the Aussie public to rules being bent to assist tennis stars.

There is already some anger being expressed over the influx of players and the positive Covid-19 tests among some who have travelled to Australia at a time when many locals are not allowed to return home due to coronavirus restrictions.

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