Current Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will play at this year’s ATP Thailand Open along with world number 6 Tomas Berdych and defending champion Richard Gasquet.
Murray, the first British male to win Wimbledon in 77 years, last played at the Thailand Open in 2011, beating Donald Young in the final 6-2 6-0 in a breathtakingly quick 48 minutes. Prior to his 2011 victory, Murray was a beaten finalist on his 2005 debut and lost to fellow Brit Tim Henman in the 2006 first round.
“I wasn’t able to come and defend my title last year so it will be great to be back this year. I look forward to seeing all the fans again,” said Murray.
Suwat Liptapanlop, executive committee chairman of the Thailand Open said the Scot agreeing to return to Bangkok was like winning the lottery.
“Roger Federer’s fortunes are on the downswing and Rafael Nadal has been plagued with injuries, so we were gauging who we should sign between Novak Djokovic and Murray. Because of his wins in the Olympics, then the US Open and reaching the Australian Open final, we went for Murray. Then, all of a sudden he won Wimbledon,” Suwat told the Nation.
The Thailand Open runs from September 21-29 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets start at 300 baht and are on sale at ThaiTicketMajor outlets, with early-bird promotional offers until August 4.
