Andy Murray Fails to Qualify for Australian Open 2021, Could Receive a Wildcard

Ever since Andy Murray had his hip surgery in 2018, his ranking has plummeted. He is currently ranked 122nd, which puts him out of the automatic qualification for the Australian Open 2021. But it has been reported that Murray hasn’t registered for the Aussie Open qualifiers either. So how could Murray take part in the event?

The list of players playing the Aussie Open qualifiers in Doha, Qatar, was announced recently, and Andy Murray’s name was a notable exclusion. But this could mean that Murray might receive the wildcard from Tennis Australia to participate in the Aussie Open 2021.

There are three ways to qualify for the Grand Slams. The first way is directly through the rankings. The top 104 athletes directly qualify for the main draw because of their rankings. Then the qualifying rounds happen from which 16 players go through. The other eight are the wildcard entrants decided by the organizers.

Andy Murray received a wildcard at the French Open 2020

Murray’s ranking has been low, thus putting him in the qualifying and wildcard territory. Murray recently was given a wildcard to participate in the French Open 2020. He directly proceeded to the first round where he was thrashed by Stan Wawrinka.

Awarding the wildcard could again force the war of words on the tour. When Murray received the French Open wildcard, seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander had criticized the British player for accepting the wildcard and snatching opportunities from the younger players. He said:

“I worry about Andy Murray. I would love to hear him say why he is out there, giving us a false sense of hope that he going to come back one day… I think Andy Murray needs to stop thinking of himself and start thinking about who he was. Does he have a right to be out there taking wildcards from the young players?”

Murray found a lot of support against Wilander’s comments. But it also brings in a conversation of how long could Murray continue for. He has lost his old agility and fire. And now, with each passing day, the former World No. 1 is inching closer to the inevitable retirement.

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