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Andy Murray, two-time Wimbledon champ, to play in Newport Hall of Fame tournament

The Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, set to kick off on Sunday, got an extra shot of star power with Tuesday's announcement that two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray — a former world No. 1 ranked player — has accepted a wild-card invitation to play in the weeklong tournament.

“Andy Murray is an all-time great of the sport, and it’s fitting to have him join the Infosys Hall of Fame Open field and play on our historic grounds,” tournament director Brewer Rowe said in a news release. “We’re thrilled to join with our fans in welcoming him back to Newport.”

Currently ranked No. 52 in the Pepperstone ATP Tour rankings, Murray ranks fourth among active players with 700 career victories behind only Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He has captured 46 career singles titles, including three Grand Slams.

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In 2012, he became the first British man to win a major title in over 75 years when he won the US Open, and followed in 2013 and 2016 by winning his home major at Wimbledon. Murray finished 2016 ranked No. 1 in the world, becoming the first British man to ascend to the top of the ATP rankings since the tour’s inception.

Andy Murray, of Britain, stretches to return a volley during his match against Justin Gimelstob, of the USA, during their match in 2006.
Andy Murray, of Britain, stretches to return a volley during his match against Justin Gimelstob, of the USA, during their match in 2006.

The field in Newport now features 18 players currently ranked in the ATP’s top 100, including four in the top 50.

This will mark Murray's third appearance at the Hall of Fame Open. The 35-year-old Brit previously competed in the 2005 and in 2006 tourneys, when he was the top seed and advanced to the semifinals.

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Murray has returned to the top 50 in a resurgent 2022 season, advancing to two ATP finals in Sydney and Stuttgart and winning 16 matches. On Stuttgart’s grass, he defeated world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Bublik en route to the final, and most recently advanced to the second round at Wimbledon.

World No. 26 John Isner is set to make his 10th career appearance in Newport in a quest to become the first five-time champion. He captured his first Newport title in doubles in 2008 and went on to win the Van Alen Cup in 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019. The field also includes world No. 33 Jenson Brooksby and No. 37 Alexander Bublik, who are among 18 participating players ranked within the ATP top 100.

Andy Murray returns a shot during his match against Ricardo Mello in 2006.
Andy Murray returns a shot during his match against Ricardo Mello in 2006.

Tickets for the Infosys Hall of Fame Open (July 10-17) are on sale and can be purchased at infosyshalloffameopen.com/tickets or by calling the tournament box office at (401) 849-6053. Options include individual session tickets (starting at $36 for adults for a full day of singles and doubles action), and full series tickets, which include access to the same seats for all seven days of the tournament. All ticketed fans will receive complimentary access to the ITHF Museum during tennis from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., including daily guided tours at 2 p.m.

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Also, fans can purchase tickets for Lleyton Hewitt’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the evening of July 16. Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, won the 2014 Hall of Fame Open singles and doubles title, and will be the tournament’s first former champion to earn tennis’ ultimate honor.

Packages including Enshrinement Weekend experiences and tickets to Saturday and Sunday’s Infosys Hall of Fame Open action are also available at tennisfame.com/enshrinement.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Andy Murray playing in Newport Hall of Fame tennis tournament