Andy Murray withdraws from Brisbane International with hip injury casting doubt over Australian Open chances

Sitting out: Andy Murray
Getty Images for Andy Murray Live
Paul Newman2 January 2018

Andy Murray pulled out of his comeback tournament on Tuesday just 13 days before the Australian Open because of continuing problems with his right hip.

Although the British No1 still hopes to play in the year’s opening Grand Slam, there must now be serious doubts over his participation in Melbourne. He also admitted that he is contemplating surgery.

Murray, who has not played competitively for nearly six months, had made Brisbane his long-term comeback target, but despite flying to the other side of the world and continuing to work hard on his rehabilitation he still does not feel ready to return.

He said: “I came here with every intention of making a strong start to the year, but sadly my team and I don’t feel that I’m where I need to be just yet to compete at the highest level.”

The Scot said on his Instagram account that he would decide by this weekend whether to head for Melbourne and the Australian Open.

On the possibility of surgery, he added: “The chances of a successful outcome are not as I high as I would like, which has made this my secondary option and my hope has been to avoid that.”

Murray arrived here on Saturday and said as recently as two days ago that he would play “unless something happens in the next couple of days that goes wrong”.

However, he told tournament officials today that he did not feel ready.

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