Haase Safely Through In Pune

Haase Safely Through In Pune

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Andy Murray considers hip surgery after withdrawing from Brisbane International

Britain’s Andy Murray says he may have to consider surgery after withdrawing from the Brisbane International because of his long-term hip injury.

The 30-year-old is down to 16th in the world, having not played since July.

Murray said on Instagram surgery was a “secondary option, something I may have to consider but let’s hope not”.

The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on 15 January and Murray added he would decide by the weekend whether to stay in Australia or fly home.

Murray had been given a bye to the last 16 in Brisbane and was due to play American Ryan Harrison on Thursday.

The former world number one said: “It’s quite demoralising that when you get on the court it’s not at the level you need it to be to compete at this level. It’s really hurting inside.”

• Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane
• Konta through as cramp forces Muguruza to withdraw for fourth straight year

In an earlier statement announcing he would not be playing in Brisbane, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, who won the event in 2012 and 2013 said: “I’m very disappointed to be withdrawing.

“I came here with every intention of making a strong start to the year.”

Murray has not played competitively since his defence of the Wimbledon singles title ended in a five-set defeat by Sam Querrey in July, when he was hampered by the hip injury.

He made an unsuccessful attempt to return at the US Open in August, pulling out two days before the start of the tournament.

His only public on-court appearances since then have been in exhibitions against Roger Federer in November, and on Friday against Roberto Bautista Agut in Abu Dhabi.

In a recent interview, Murray said he would be content to be playing at “30 in the world level” given his lengthy injury problems.

“I just want to enjoy playing again. I’ve really missed it the last six months or so,” he said.

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent

This heartfelt and poignant post from Murray is the first time he has publicly voiced the anxiety that many others have felt for him and for his future in the game.

He will have approached this period of rehabilitation as meticulously, thoroughly and professionally as everything else in his career. And now – as he approaches six months away from the match court – he has discovered all too painfully that it has so far not been sufficient.

Murray is still very reluctant to opt for surgery, but he may come to the conclusion over the next few days that he has little alternative.

Murray has never addressed the precise nature of his hip problem. There is not one accepted diagnosis, but a very good source has told me Murray has a torn labrum. Any surgery would therefore be fraught with uncertainty and my understanding is that even if successful, the repair can sometimes have a limited shelf life.

Every condition is of course different, but Lleyton Hewitt had surgery on both hips for similar reasons in 2008 and 2010. He was never quite the same player again but still won three ATP titles after going under the knife for a second time.

Murray’s other concern with surgery will be his extended absence from the sport. By July, he will have been missing for a whole year. However great a player, it is hugely challenging to rediscover that competitive edge after such a long break from the tour.

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Watch highlights as Konta beats Tomljanovic

British number one Johanna Konta makes it through to the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International after a 4-6 6-1 6-4 win against Ajla Tomljanovic.

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Brisbane International: Johanna Konta into last eight, Garbine Muguruza pulls out

British number one Johanna Konta moved into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International with a 4-6 6-1 6-4 win against wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic.

Konta, who ended a run of five straight defeats since August by beating Madison Keys in the previous round, won in two hours 26 minutes.

She will play Ana Konjuh or third seed Elina Svitolina in the last eight.

Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza withdrew for the fourth year in a row after suffering with cramp.

After losing a fluctuating opening set in which her serve was broken four times, fifth seed Konta raced 5-0 ahead in the next against 24-year-old Croat Tomljanovic, the world number 118.

Tomljanovic needed a medical time-out for treatment off the court and returned with heavy strapping on her right thigh but Konta soon wrapped up the set, in which her serve improved significantly and she offered no break point chances.

Konta continued to impress with the accuracy of her groundstrokes and served for the match at 5-2, but her Croat opponent struck some defiant blows and broke back, before holding serve with an ace.

Tomljanovic had three break point chances to level the match at 5-5 but Konta held on and sealed victory on her first match point.

“There wasn’t a lot in it so I’m glad I stayed tough to come through that,” the British player said. “It boosts the match fitness, every match is a battle.”

World number two Muguruza was leading 2-1 in the deciding set of her second-round match against Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic in 30C heat.

But she collapsed following a serve and had to be helped from the court.

The 5-7 7-6 2-1 defeat ends any hope of replacing Romanian Simona Halep as number one before the Australian Open.

• Injured Murray considers surgery after pulling out of Brisbane International
• Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane

“I cramp very few times,” said Muguruza, adding that the problem started early in the second set.

“The last time I cramped up was actually at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the conditions. I don’t know, but it’s rare for me.”

Muguruza’s run of injury problems in Brisbane dates back to 2015 when she withdrew on the eve of the event with an ankle problem. A foot injury ended her 2016 campaign and a thigh problem led to her semi-final retirement last year.

The top seed had started well against unseeded Krunic, the world number 53, converting her seventh set point to win the first set before surging to a 5-2 lead in the second.

But Krunic took four of the next five games to force a tie-break, which she won 7-3 to send the contest into a deciding set.

• Live scores and results

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Edmund beats Shapovalov in Brisbane

Britain’s Kyle Edmund came from a set down to beat teenager Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the first round of the Brisbane International.

Edmund, 22, lost to the 18-year-old at Queen’s Club last year and again at the US Open when he was forced to retire in the fourth set due to a back injury.

Canadian Shapovalov, the world number 51, took an early lead but 50th-ranked Edmund won in two hours and 30 minutes.

He will play South Korea’s Hyeon Chung, the world number 58, in the last 16.

• Injured Murray considers surgery after pulling out of Brisbane International
• Live scores and results

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