Former world no. 1, Andy Murrary from Great Britain has revealed that he had undertook this years Wimbledon to be his final tournament before retiring, but the Australian Open next week could be his last.
A chronic hip injury that he had been dealing with for 18 months resulted in Murrary withdrawing from the Australian Open last year, before having hip surgery in Melbourne.
In a very emotional press conference at Melbourne Park, where he had to leave the room to regain composure, Murrary said “I’m not sure I’ll be able to play through the pain for the next four to five months,” hence the Australian Open could be the last time the Scot step on court for a tournament. Murrary says that the pain is becoming too much, and it is taking away the enjoyment of training and playing tennis, as well as making everyday tasks difficult.
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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 11: Andy Murray of Great Britain speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 11, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Fighting back tears, the 31 year old 5-time Australian Open finalist conceded that the grand slam in Melbourne could very well be his last.
“I can still play to a level, [although] not a level that I’m happy playing at. But it’s not just that, the pain is too much really.”
“I don’t want to continue playing that way. I’ve tried pretty much everything to get it right and that hasn’t worked.”
In the first round of the Australian Open, Andy Murrary will play the no. 22 seed, Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.