Ranked World No.121, Andy Murray, has been among the recipients of a wildcard to the main draw of the 2021 Indian Wells. Over the last few years, Murray has received wildcards for multiple tournaments. However, the Briton doesn’t have any qualms about taking wildcards.

This season, Murray received a wildcard for the Australian Open, Wimbledon Championships, US Open, and many other prestigious events. According to the critics, the wildcards should be handed to young upcoming players, but Murray, who has undergone two hip surgeries since 2017, feels otherwise.

Andy Murray on wildcards that he’s receiving:

The three-time Grand Slam champion stated he doesn’t need to issue a justification for taking wildcards. The 34-year-old feels his achievements and the ordeal he has been through over the last few years is justification enough.

“After what I’ve gone through the last three, four years and what I’ve achieved for the game beforehand, I don’t feel like I need to justify the reasons for why I should get wildcards,” said Murray.

In 2016, Murray was at the pinnacle of men’s tennis. He won his second Olympic singles gold medal, the US Open, the ATP World Tour Finals, and ended the season as the No.1 ranked player for the first time in his career.

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However, the following season, Murray’s troubles with the hip injury began. He underwent two hip surgeries, the first one in 2018 and the second in 2019, and missed most of the tournaments during that time because of rehabilitation.

The British tennis star’s return to Indian Wells comes after a four-year hiatus. He last played at the 2017 Indian Wells, when he was ranked World No.1. Since his debut at Indian Wells in 2006, Murray’s best result has been finishing as a finalist in 2009.

This year, Murray faces Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in his opening round match at Indian Wells. The duo has played twice against each other, with Murray leading their rivalry 2-0.

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