Andy Murray has officially withdrawn from events in Beijing and Shanghai with the likely possibility that he will not play again on the tour this season due to a hip injury.
The former world No.1 hasn’t played a competitive match since losing in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon championships. In recent months the Brit has struggled with an ongoing hip injury and visited a specialist in Switzerland. Murray did travel to the US Open with the hope of playing in the final major of the year, but withdrew two days before the start of the event.
Providing an update on his hip on Thursday, the three-time grand slam champion confirmed that he is set to miss the rest of the season in order to recover. In a statement, he said that the decision was made ‘to protect his future’ in the sport.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in the upcoming events in Beijing and Shanghai, and most likely, the final two events to finish the season in Vienna and Paris due to my hip injury which has been bothering me the last few months.” Said Murray.
“Having consulted with a number of leading hip specialists over the last week, along with my own team, we have decided that this is the best decision for my long-term future.”
Should he miss the rest of the season, Murray will likely fall out of the world’s top ten for the first time since October 2014. In the final quarter of the season he has a vast amount of points to defend following his stellar end to 2016. Last year he won five titles over a two-month period, including the ATP World Tour Finals.
Despite the blip, the 30-year-old is confident that he can return back to the top of the sport. Stating that he aims to start 2018 at the Brisbane International and also intends to participate in a charity match with Roger Federer later on in the year.
“I’m confident after this extended period of rest and rehabilitation that I will be able to reach my best level again and be competing for Grand Slam titles next season.” He said.
“I will be beginning my 2018 season in Brisbane in preparation for the Australian Open and I’m looking forward playing in Glasgow later this year against Roger for UNICEF UK and Sunny-sid3up.”
Should he play no more in 2017, Murray ends the season with one title from Dubai and a win-loss record of 25-10.
Murray joins a series of other players on the injury bench. In July Novak Djokovic ended his season due to an elbow injury. Then Stan Wawrinka called it quits in August due to his knee, followed by Kei Nishikori and his troublesome wrist. There are also ongoing concerns about Milos Raonic, who is struggling with a wrist injury.
The announcement means that it will be the first time Murray has missed the prestigious ATP Tour Finals since 2013.
