Murray to play in 'Battle of Brits' tournament organised by brother Jamie

Andy Murray has not played since November’s Davis Cup Finals because of a bruise on his pelvic bone

Andy Murray will play in a tournament organised by brother Jamie that will raise money for NHS Charities Together.

‘Schroders Battle of the Brits’ will take place behind closed doors at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton from 23-28 June.

The tournament, which will have singles and doubles champions, will feature the likes of Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans and will be shown on Amazon Prime.

It is hoped the event will raise at least £100,000 for the NHS charities.

“The last few months have been incredibly challenging times for everyone and we see this event as our way of giving back,” said Jamie Murray.

“A lot of work has gone in to make sure this could happen and we are excited to be able to bring an action-packed week of tennis, while raising valuable funds for NHS heroes to say thank you for the amazing work they have done.”

He added: “I’m really excited to be, for the first time, bringing together the current generation of British male players to compete against one another while raising significant funds for charity.”

Andy Murray has not played since November’s Davis Cup Finals because of a bruise on his pelvic bone, but had been contemplating a return to the ATP Tour in Miami in late March when professional tennis was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“He had aspirations to go play in Miami before the lockdown happened,” said Jamie Murray, “and then obviously he’s in the same situation as everyone else for the past couple of months: of being at home, not practising.

“I think for him this event is a great opportunity to put his hip through its paces and see where he’s at, and give him a good idea of where he’s going to be at when the season starts up again.”

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent

Not only will this be the first competitive domestic event to take place since the suspension of tennis, but it will also throw together the best eight singles players in the UK.

That has not been possible since the demise of the National Championships in 2002.

It means Andy Murray could be up against Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie, as the players are drawn into two groups of four to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals.

Six doubles pairs will also take part: the field will comprise eight specialists and four singles players, with Evans and Edmund likely to play both events.

This one is for men only, but a separate women’s event has also been long in the planning. The British Closed Women’s Tennis Championships is hoping to attract a similarly impressive field.

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