Brisbane | Murray contemplates surgery

Andy Murray’s decision to withdraw from the Brisbane International – the event he hoped to relaunch his career following six months off with a hip injury – has now developed into a major concern, not whether he will play the Australian Open, but whether he has a future in the game.

Having played practice sets here in Brisbane with some top players unfortunately this hasn’t worked yet to get me to the level I would like so I have to reassess my options.

Andy Murray

In what is an incredible forthright statement, the British No.1 issued a statement via his Instagram account which indicates he is now even considering career threatening surgery – an action he has continually refused to even consider until now. It was always hs ‘secondary option’ if rehabilitation failed to cure the injury and that would seem to be the case.

He wrote: “I’ve obviously been going through a really difficult period with my hip for a long time and have sought council from a number of hip specialists.

“Having been recommended to treat my hip conservatively since the US Open I have done everything asked of me from a rehab perspective and worked extremely hard to try get back on the court competing.

“Having played practice sets here in Brisbane with some top players unfortunately this hasn’t worked yet to get me to the level I would like so I have to reassess my options.

“Obviously continuing rehab is one option and giving my hip more time to recover.

“Surgery is also an option but 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.

“However this is something I may have to consider but let’s hope not.”

And in reference to the picture, added: “I choose this pic as the little kid inside me just wants to play tennis and Compete. I genuinely miss it so much and I would give anything to be back out there. I didn’t realise until these last few months just how much I love this game. Everytime I wake up from sleeping or napping I hope that it’s better and it’s quite demoralising when you get on the court it’s not at the level you need it to be to compete at this level.”

Murray did not rule out playing the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15. He said he would stay in Australia to see if his injury “settles down a bit,” adding that he would decide by the weekend whether to stay in Australia or to return home.

Menawhile at the tournament Nick Kyrgios overcame knee injuries to reach the quarter-finals following a tight 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-2 victory over fellow Aussie Matt Ebden.

Kyrgios called for medical attention at 4-5 down in the first set complaining of pain in his knee but after having it taped up, continued the match and held on for a place in the last eight where he will face Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov, who beat Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-2.