Britain's Andy Murray reacts during the men's singles first round tennis match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka on Day 1 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Sept 27, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

Andy Murray has pulled out of the season-opening Delray Beach Open in Florida next week to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 ahead of the Australian Open in February.

The tournament serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open in Melbourne

Murray, who missed most of the 2020 season due to complications with his hip and struggled for form on his return after the COVID-19 hiatus, accepted a wildcard for the Jan. 7-13 ATP 250 tournament last week.

The tournament serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open in Melbourne, which will begin three weeks later than scheduled on Feb. 8 due to COVID-19 health and safety measures.

READ MORE: Murray awarded wildcard for Australian Open

“After much deliberation with my team I’ve decided not to travel to play in Delray Beach,” Murray, 33, said on Thursday.

“Given the increase in COVID rates and the transatlantic flights involved, I want to minimise the risks ahead of the Australian Open.”

ALSO READ: Murray accepts Delray Beach Open wildcard to begin 2021 season

Murray, a former world number one and three-times Grand Slam champion, underwent hip resurfacing surgery in January last year and has slipped to 122nd in the rankings after playing only seven matches this year.