MELBOURNE, January 11, 2019
Andy Murray announced his retirement from professional tennis after Wimbledon in the summer but admitted the Australian Open could be his final tournament.
In a highly emotional press conference ahead of the first Grand Slam event of the season in Melbourne on Friday, Murray revealed that the right hip pain that caused him to have surgery one year ago has not gone away.
“Obviously I’ve been struggling for a long time, and I’ve been in a lot of pain for about 20 months now,” Murray told reporters. The 31-year-old Briton is scheduled to face reigning Doha champion Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain in the first round on Monday.
“I spoke to my team and I told them I can’t keep doing this. I needed to have an end point…”
-Andy Murray#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wLEplbKXOV
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 11. Januar 2019
“I’ve pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads. I’m in a better place than I was six months ago but still in a lot of pain. It’s been tough.
I’m going to play. I can still play to a level, just not a level that I’m happy playing at. But it’s not just that. The pain is too much really and I don’t want to continue playing that way.”
Social media reactions:
Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms, whenever that happens. We love you @andy_murray and we want to see you happy and doing well. 🙏
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) 11. Januar 2019
Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime. What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend! @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Bcs0cdllJp
— Grigor Dimitrov (@GrigorDimitrov) 11. Januar 2019
My thoughts are with @andy_murray and I really hope we continue to see you fighting on court so you can retire on your own terms. Get well soon… Tennis is better with you. pic.twitter.com/0z1401hKXe
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) 11. Januar 2019
.@andy_murray You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family. https://t.co/AQUOP3LGec
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) 11. Januar 2019
The @andy_murray that I know will absolutely make it to Wimbledon to play his final tournament. Not many with more heart, effort in the history of the game. Was always a pleasure to share the court pal.
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) 11. Januar 2019
My heart breaks listening to @andy_murray during his press conference… Hope he will make it through to Wimbledon and have the farewell he deserves . #greatguy
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) 11. Januar 2019
Really sad to hear that @andy_murray 😢You are a true champion of our sport and great example for all of us!Stay strong 🙏🏻 https://t.co/Bw8ZIF0QUM
— Karen Khachanov (@karenkhachanov) 11. Januar 2019
So sad for @andy_murray . Hands down one of the best guys on tour. So much respect for him as an all around athlete and person. Hope his body can recover. If not, he will be missed by all. 😔
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) 11. Januar 2019
You’re the man muzz🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) 11. Januar 2019
Toda mi admiración y respeto @andy_murray. Siempre serás un gran campeón 🎾🙌 Los que amamos el tenis te echaremos de menos.#AndyMurray pic.twitter.com/F3fWEtGqYE
— Juan Carlos Ferrero (@juankiferri) 11. Januar 2019
