Andy Murray was beaten by Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round of the Australian Open. The build up had been dominated by Murray’s comments last week when he claimed this tournament could be his last.
But today he suggested he would try everything to get back Melbourne and play the tournament again – even if it means going under the knife again.
The Scot wants to continue until Wimbledon but admits if the pain is too much over these two weeks he may not make it.
It depends how things feel over the coming days. He suggested he would continue to fight the injuries after losing today.
He wasn’t expected to beat Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round and surprised most by even taking it to five sets.
Now it will all be about his recovery and planning for Wimbledon, where he suggested last week he’d like to bow out.
What did Andy Murray say about retiring before the Australian Open?
“I said to my team, look I think I can get through this until Wimbledon. That’s where I’d like to stop playing. But I’m also not certain I’m able to do that.”
When asked if this could in fact be his last tournament, he said: “Yes I think there’s a chance of that for sure because I’m not sure I’m able to play through the pain for another four or five months.
“I have an option to have another operation, which is a little bit more severe than what I’ve had before in having my hip resurfaced, which will allow me to have a better quality of life and be out of pain.
“That’s something I’m seriously considering right now. Some athletes have had that and gone back to competing but there’s obviously no guarantees with that and the reason for having an operation like that is not to return to professional sport, it’s just for a better quality of life.”
