This file photo taken on January 14, 2019, shows Britain's Andy Murray reacts after a point during his men's singles match against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. [Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP]Andy Murray has pulled out of the season-opening Delray Beach Open in Florida next week to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 ahead of the Australian Open in February. The tournament serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open in Melbourne, which will begin three weeks later than scheduled on Feb. 8 due to COVID-19 health and safety measures. "After much deliberation with my team I've decided not to travel to play in Delray Beach," Murray, 33, said on Thursday. [Steven Paston/PA via AP]"Given the increase in COVID rates and the transatlantic flights involved, I want to minimise the risks ahead of the Australian Open."

Source: Standard Digital December 31, 2020 13:41 UTC