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Andy Murray’s agent Matt Gentry revealed the Scot turned down a seven-figure fee to play exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s human rights record. Murray, 34, is one of the most accomplished players of his generation as he is a three-time Grand Slam champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a former world No.
1. “He's turned down stuff in Saudi and I don't think he would play there just because of what's gone on," Gentry told the SportUnlocked podcast. “If he feels strongly about something regardless, he's at the stage where he will happily call it out and he will have that debate with people.
I don't think he's scared to voice his opinion on it."
Murray would earn at least a $1 million
“Exhibition matches, they have done a few over the years where they have paid eyewatering sums of money to get players to come over, and he just wasn't interested," Gentry said from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.
"If you are a former No. 1 player in the world in the Middle East you could potentially earn $1 million, $2 million for an exhibition match ... this is for the top players, the big global names." Murray refused to play in Saudi Arabia but he gladly returned to Australia this January.
Australia has always been one of Murray’s favorite places as he has made five finals at the Australian Open. “My feeling is no longer that of having been coming here every year to compete, in fact, I hadn't won a match in Australia for more than 1,000 days.
I am aware of the situation I have been through, but this is a place where I have always liked to play," said Murray. "Being that the conditions and the courts suit me, I feel very comfortable in Australia, so I hope to play a few more years."
