Murray underwent hip surgery in early 2019, and has made a remarkable return to the game, recording a win over US Open finalist Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati Masters<\/a> in August.<\/p>\n "As a five-time finalist, he has been an integral part of so many amazing matches and storylines in the recent history of the Australian Open," tournament director Craig Tiley said.<\/p>\n "His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021."<\/p>\n The 33-year-old Murray, who was a beaten finalist in Melbourne in 2010, 11, 13, 15 and 16, has won three grand slam titles during his career.<\/p>\n He proved his fitness at this year's US Open<\/a>, with a five-set first round win over Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.<\/p>\n Kokkinakis, who missed this year's tournament with glandular fever, is another to be awarded direct entry into the main draw.<\/p>\n I'm super happy and thankful to have gotten a wildcard into the AO," Kokkinakis said.<\/p>\n "I was shattered I couldn't play this year due to illness, but I'm feeling great now and can't wait to get out in front of the home crowd and have some fun."<\/p>\n Fellow Australians Alex Bolt, Aleks Vukic, Destanee Aiava and Arina Rodionova were also handed wildcards.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/em><\/strong> clicking here<\/em><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n