Andy Murray has tied Tommy Haas for the most wildcards received (53) since 1990 and his former coach Mark Petchey provided an answer to those wondering why the three-time Grand Slam champion keeps on receiving wildcards.
This week, the Dubai organizers announced Murray as a main draw wildcard recipient. With that wildcard, Murray has tied Tommy Haas for the most wildcards (53) received since 1990. After Murray tied Haas on the list for the most wildcards received, some weren’t impressed by that and questioned why the Briton keeps on receiving wildcards.
“The thing about Wild Cards on the tour are they they are commercially driven. Less so at the Grand Slams. If you are losing your mind that @andy_murray has one it’s because your favourite is not selling a ticket,” Petchey wrote on Twitter.
The thing about Wild Cards on the tour are they they are commercially driven. Less so at the Grand Slams. If you are losing your mind that @andy_murray has one it’s because your favourite is not selling a ticket — Mark Petchey (@_markpetchey) February 7, 2023
What did Murray say about wildcards?
In late 2021, Murray had enough of all the criticism aimed at him regarding the wildcards he was receiving.
“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,” Murray said in late 2021. Meanwhile, Murray is set to make his eighth appearance on the hard courts of Dubai.
In 2017, Murray lifted his first Dubai title when he defeated Fernando Verdasco in the final. “Coming back to Dubai brings with it a lot of good memories, not least 2017 and the final with Fernando. My form is improving and my game is getting better, so the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships provides another great opportunity for me to continue to climb back up the rankings,” Murray said in his statement.
The Dubai event is set to take place between February 27 – March 04. Murray last played at the Australian Open, where he clinched two thriller five-set wins before losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round. It remains to be seen how far can Murray go in Dubai.
