Tennis news - Andy Murray withdraws from the Australian Open due to a pelvic injury

ByEurosport

Updated 29/12/2019 at 09:05 GMT

Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a lingering pelvic injury.

Britain's Andy Murray addresses media representatives at a press conference after defeat in his first round men's singles match against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early January 15, 2019.

Image credit: Getty Images

“I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play in Australia in January,” Murray said.

“After the AO this year, when I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to play again, I was excited about coming back to Australia and giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me.

“Unfortunately I’ve had a setback recently and as a precaution, need to work through that before I get back on court competing.”

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His management team said in an email: "It was always going to be a tight turnaround, but the team took the decision not to rush back, so he'll continue hitting on court and building up fitness in January."

The three-time Grand Slam champion was due to make his highly-anticipated return to the top level of tennis having not played in a Grand Slam since the last Australian Open back in January.

Murray's time on the court looked close to being over as he suffered with an ongoing a hip problem a year ago in Melbourne, and he underwent surgery to come back from the injury which threatened his career.

And although Murray returned to doubles - followed by singles - action this year as he went on to win the Antwerp Open in his seventh tournament back, he is facing a fresh setback.

It has emerged he has been suffering with a pelvic issue for a month and subsequently will not be taking part in the ATP Cup in early January, or the first Grand Slam of the year.

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The Scot has not played since the Davis Cup finals last month due to the injury and Murray did not travel to Miami this month for his scheduled warm-weather training.

Yet, amazingly, the 32-year-old had looked on course to play in his first Grand Slam singles event since Melbourne after his recovery from major hip surgery 11 months ago had seen him climb back to No. 125 in the world.

After returning to competitive singles play in August, he even won the European Open in Antwerp, beating his old rival Stan Wawrinka in the final to secure his first triumph for more than two years.

He is expected to return to the tour for European indoor events in February.

The Australian Open starts on January 20 and concludes on February 3.

Additional reporting from Reuters

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