Boxing Day return for Andy Murray

Reigning Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is all set to return to action after undergoing a back surgery in September.

The World no. 4 will kick off his preparations for the new season when he faces Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on December 26th. The 3-day exhibition tournament to be played at the Zayed Sports City Tennis Complex comprises of a strong field with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer and Stanislas Wawrinka also taking part.

Murray was due to make a comeback last month but the Dream Cup exhibition event in Barbados was cancelled. The Brit last played competitive tennis when he led Britain to a victory over Croatia in the Davis Cup World Group play-off. Murray has been undergoing rehabilitation & training at his Florida base after the back surgery.

The 26-year-old, who became the first British male to win Wimbledon singles title in 77 years, chose not to fly out to the United Kingdom to receive his BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and remained in Florida to focus on his preparations instead.

“I’ve been training and having rehab every day and will continue to do so right up until just before Christmas when I fly to Abu Dhabi. Getting back to playing competitively is the next step in my preparations for the new season, which starts for me at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.”

“Coming back from injury is never easy and the line-up this year is so strong but it’s exactly the test I need to see where my game is at. I’m looking forward to being part of what is always a great tournament.” said Murray.

The tournament will be played on hard courts and has a prize money of USD $250,000 up for grabs. Andy Murray will sure be looking to repeat his 2009 performance at the tournament when he clinched the title & get his season off to a good start.