The world of tennis has been stunned after Andy Murray confirmed on Friday that next week’s Australian Open could be the final tournament he plays in his career.
The three-time grand slam champion spoke to the media in Australia during what was a highly emotional occasion with Murray in tears at numerous points. The British former world No.1 has been troubled by a hip injury for almost two years that resulted in him being sidelined from the tour for 11 months. In January 2018 he underwent surgery to help solve the problem, but recently announced that continues to experience pain in the area.
Earlier this week Murray was seen conducting a practice session with Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park, but it was clearly visible that his movement was limited. He lost the practice match 6-1, 4-1.
“I’m not feeling good,” Murray said in a press conference. “Obviously been struggling for a long time and been in a lot of pain for probably about 20 months now.
“I’ve pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads.
‘I’m going to play. I can still play to a level, not a level I’m happy playing at. The pain is too much really, it’s not something I want to continue playing that way.”
Following the shock announcement, Murray has said that he hopes to make it to Wimbledon before finishing for good. Although he is unsure if he will be able to do so. Murray is the first and only British man to win a grand slam title in the Open Era. At The All England Club he lifted the title twice in 2013 and 2016.
“I tried everything I could to get it right, it hasn’t worked. My plan is kind of middle to end of December in my training block, I spoke to my team and told them I can’t keep doing it.” He explained.
“I need to have an end point because I’m just playing with no idea of when the pain will stop. Making that decision, I think I can get through to this at Wimbledon, that’s when I’d like to stop playing. I’m also not certain I’m able to do that.”
When asked if the upcoming Australian Open could be his last tournament, Murray replied by saying ‘there is a chance.’ Melbourne will be his 48th appearance in a grand slam main draw.
‘There’s a chance of that, yeah, for sure. I’m not sure I’m able to play through the pain for another four or five months.” He replied.
‘I have an option to have another operation, which is little more severe than what I’ve had before, but would give me a better quality of life. Some athletes have had that and come back to compete, but there’s no guarantees of that. The reason to have it is not to return.”
Murray will take on Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open.
