Andy Murray to make 2021 season debut at Biella Challenger in Italy

After testing positive for the coronavirus, Great Britain's Andy Murray was deemed unable to compete at this year's Australian Open. In lieu of participating in Australia, the former World No.1 has entered the Biella Challenger event in Italy.

Murray, whose rank has dropped to No.123 following several surgeries, has not played competitively since losing in the first round in Cologne last October. The three-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled to compete at the Australian Open, but tested positive for COVID-19 and thus was unable to travel to Melbourne.

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Nonetheless, Murray will be competing in his first ATP Challenger event since August 2019, where he reached the quarterfinals of an event in Mallorca. Due to his low ranking, the Scotsman is not seeded in Biella and will have to face the likes of Alejandro Davidovich and Lucas Pouille, the two top seeds at the event.

Murray was expected to begin his season at the ATP 250 event in Montpellier, which begins on February 22. However, the 33-year old will return to action at the Biella Challenger, which kicks off during the second week of Australian Open.