Five-time runner-up Andy Murray given wildcard for Australian Open

Two years after his emotional press conference where he declared the 2019 Australian Open may be the last tournament of his career, Andy Murray will return to Melbourne Park.

The five-time runner-up has been given a wildcard into the main draw for next year's tournament, along with Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Murray underwent hip surgery in early 2019, and has made a remarkable return to the game, recording a win over US Open finalist Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati Masters in August.

"As a five-time finalist, he has been an integral part of so many amazing matches and storylines in the recent history of the Australian Open," tournament director Craig Tiley said.

"His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021."

The 33-year-old Murray, who was a beaten finalist in Melbourne in 2010, 11, 13, 15 and 16, has won three grand slam titles during his career.

He proved his fitness at this year's US Open, with a five-set first round win over Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

Kokkinakis, who missed this year's tournament with glandular fever, is another to be awarded direct entry into the main draw.

I'm super happy and thankful to have gotten a wildcard into the AO," Kokkinakis said.

"I was shattered I couldn't play this year due to illness, but I'm feeling great now and can't wait to get out in front of the home crowd and have some fun."

Fellow Australians Alex Bolt, Aleks Vukic, Destanee Aiava and Arina Rodionova were also handed wildcards.