Bad, but expected news from Andy Murray that announces his withdrawal from the Australian Open after he decided not to play the Brisbane International.

Andy has also played a disastrous exhibition set in Abu Dhabi against Roberto Bautista-Agut to lose 6-2. His fitness was more than appalling as it was clear that he couldn’t move.

The Brit has been struggling for long with his hip. Andy tried to avoid to undergo surgery to correct this problem, but it’s clear that his 6 months’ stop and the consequent rehabilitation didn’t go well and therefore he is expected to do something more about it. 

In the past few days, he didn’t make a mystery that he is considering an operation and that is the most likely scenario at this point if Andy wants to keep on competing.

From Murray

The world no.16 commented

“Sadly, I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete. I’ll be flying home shortly to assess all the options but I appreciate all the messages of support, and I hope to be back playing soon.”

Why the season may be over

We hope for the best, but it seems that his season is already over. For “normal” sports it is recommended to go back and play 3-6 months after a hip operation. Given the effort that a pro tennis player puts on court, and Murray’s style,  it seems difficult that Andy will be fully fit before 9 months. That means that if everything goes well (and Murray will go for the operation), he will have the chances to compete only during the European Indoor season.

That means that the season is practically over.

Pity.