Andy Murray, Kerber to play in virtual Madrid Open

Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber will play in virtual Mrid Open later this month after clay-court event was cancelled, organisers said on Thursday. Players will do battle online on Tennis World Tour videogame to raise money for those struggling in sport and people affected by coronavirus pandemic. Former world number ones Murray and Kerber, who have both won three Grand Slam singles titles, are among first stars to sign up for tournament, which will feature 32 players and run from April 27-30.

Virtual Mrid Open

"(It) is a new challenge for us players, and something that I have never been done before," said Kerber.

"It's exciting and a good opportunity to compete from home in a new format. I'm looking forward to participate." French ATP player Lucas Pouille and Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro will also take part.

Each male and female winner will decide how much of a 150,000-euro (USD 164,000) purse to donate to "tennis players currently suffering ecomically". An ditional 50,000 euros "will all go towards reducing social impact of Covid-19 pandemic". Tennis has been in lockdown since early last month and is t scheduled to return until July 13 at earliest following cancellation of Wimbledon for first time since World War II. 

Im credits: AP