This content was published 3 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Although not taking part to the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2021, Rome is happy to welcome former world number 1 Andy Murray. The Brit is reported to be on his way to the Foro Italico, where he is expected to practice for a few days with a number of top players.

The 2016 Champion of the Internazionali is working towards a full comeback from the groin injury that forced him out of the Miami Open in March. With plans to play in either Lyon or Geneva ahead of the qualifications of Roland Garros, Murray will be savouring the Roman clay by practicing with Novak Djokovic and we are sure plenty more big names would be delighted to include a session with such a high profile “sparring partner”.

“I want to get out there to be around the top players and top tournaments,” he said while explaining the reasons for his trip to Rome despite not taking part to the tournament: “On Sunday I’ve got a court booked with Schwartzman and then Novak in the afternoon. I want to play against the highest-level players possible because I think that will help me improve my game quicker“.
Despite the multiple setback that followed his hip surgery, Murray is not giving up just yet: “When I had the operation on the hip I knew it was going to be unbelievably challenging: I’m trying to do something that has not been done before“.
Just before coming to the Internazionali, the former world number one has been seen in London practicing with a familiar face to his entourage: Mark Petchey, who had been Murray’s coach back in 2006, when he first broke into the ATP top 50.

“I felt it would be good to have a fresh voice some weeks. Obviously, I did a lot of work with Petch when I was younger. I thought he was a very good coach and because of his TV work he is very current with his knowledge. Having someone extra with all the quarantine situations that can come up makes sense. I know him really well, so we are looking at doing something longer term, but nothing has been agreed at this point.“