It's Confirmed: Andy Murray Will Play At 2020 Australian Open

The tournament director of Australian Open, Craig Tiley, revealed Tuesday that Andy Murray is expected to play next year in the opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.

In January, ahead of the Australian Open, a tearful Murray had given an emotional press conference announcing that he might have to retire because of long-term injuries.

The five-time runner's up at the Australian Open then survived a career-threatening hip injury as he went under the knife earlier this year. It was his career's second hip surgery. Since then he has been making some good progress in recovering.

Last week, the four-time Grand Slam winner reached the quarter-final at China Open. Although he got knocked out after losing to Dominic Thiem, China Open was his best performance since his return in June.

Murray, who is currently ranked 289th in the world, played in the doubles and mixed doubles categories at Wimbledon, partnering Serena Williams in the latter. He then made his singles return in Cincinnati in August.

After a gap of exactly a year, Murray is set to return to singles in a Grand Slam.

“For sure Andy will be here. I was on the phone with his agent this morning. He is going to be in Australia early. He is ready to return. Remember he said goodbye a year ago. It’s great in that period he had surgery and has rebounded really well," Tiley told the Australian radio station Triple M on Tuesday.

According to media reports, although Murray has not officially entered the 2020 Australian Open, he sure has confirmed his participation in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia, from Jan. 3-12.

Murray is currently playing in the Shanghai Open. He dropped a set in the opening round against Juan Ignacio Londero before sealing the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.