Andy Murray will play competitively at the Italian Open this week after he and compatriot Liam Broady made it into the doubles draw.
Murray travelled to Rome for a week of practice with leading players, including Novak Djokovic, ahead of what he hopes will be a singles comeback in either Geneva or Lyon next week.
However, he will have some match practice this week after all, with Murray and Broady sneaking into the doubles draw as alternates following the withdrawal of Hubert Hurkacz and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Great to see you back @andy_murray 🙏🏼💪🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/RrPIGRVxH1 — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 10, 2021
Murray, who has been recovering from a groin problem suffered in his sleep ahead of the Miami Open in March, and Broady will take on Australian duo Max Purcell and Luke Saville in the first round.
It will be Murray's first doubles match on the ATP Tour since he partnered Spain's Feliciano Lopez at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in August 2019.
Djokovic gave a positive assessment of Murray's play after their practice session on Monday, saying: "I haven't seen him in a while and it was great to hit with him.
"I thought he played very well on the court. He moves well considering it's clay, which is not the best surface for his hips."
