LOS ANGELES,  July 27 ― Former world number ones Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka have been handed wildcards into next month's ATP-WTA Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, tournament organisers announced yesterday.

Murray and Azarenka, both former winners of the tournament, will line up in the 56-player fields for the tournament, which takes place from August 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Ohio.

Azarenka won the tournament in 2013, defeating Serena Williams in the final.

The two-time major winner has not played Cincinnati since giving birth to her son in 2016.

Murray, who lifted the Cincinnati crown in 2008 and 2011, last played the event in 2016.

The Scottish star has been plagued by a hip injury since last season, returning in June this year during the grass-court season.

Murray's world ranking has plummeted to 839 after he pulled out of this year's Wimbledon. ― AFP