Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray says pain from a lingering injury will force him to retire after Wimbledon this year, adding that the Australian Open may be his last ever professional tennis tournament.
[jwplayer kSwCE1Rr]
A visibly emotional Murray excused himself from a press conference in Melbourne this morning after revealing his hip is still causing him severe pain, despite the former World #1 undergoing surgery on the injured joint a year ago.
“I think there is a chance this is my last tournament,” the 31-year-old told reporters, adding “I’m not sure I’m able to play through the pain for another four or five months.”
Andy Murray:
“Pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads…I think there is a chance #AusOpen is my last tournament.” pic.twitter.com/utMdtYqj0O
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2019
He said he “I’m in a better place than I was six months ago but I’m still in a lot of pain. It’s been tough.”
Murray struggled during a practice match against Novak Djokovic yesterday, which saw the Scot retire after 49 minutes with the scores set at 6-1, 4-1.
Despite the limitations on his game imposed by the injury, Murray indicated he will compete at the Australian Open “but not a level I’m happy about.”
His first competitive match of the tournament is set for Monday against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
