Tennis: Murray offered Heineken Open wildcard

Andy Murray. Photo / AP

Andy Murray has been offered a wildcard entry to next week's Heineken Open after the world No 4 crashed out of the second round of the Qatar Open in his first tournament after four months off with a back injury.

Murray was beaten by Germany's Florian Mayer 3-6 6-4 6-2 overnight and Heineken Open tournament director Karl Budge immediately responded by offering Murray a place in next week's Heineken Open. Budge is hoping Murray will want more match practice ahead of this month's Australian Open.

Murray played in the 2006 Heineken Open, before he advanced into the world's top 10 and won both Wimbledon (2013) and the US Open (2012).

Heineken Open top seed and defending champion David Ferrer was another to bow out early in Qatar, along with fourth seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber.