15 January 2024 , 13:27
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Andy Murray has acknowledged the possibility that he may never play at the Australian Open again after exiting in the first round of this year's tournament, five years after making the most remarkable of comebacks.
Murray, 36, lost in straight sets 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry and described his performance as "flat". The five-time finalist also lost in the opening round at the Brisbane International earlier this month despite taking a first-set lead against Grigor Dimitrov.
That match was his first since frustratingly losing to Australia 's Alex de Minaur in the opening round at the Paris Masters in late October due to a shoulder injury. The issue prevented him from playing for Great Britain at the Davis Cup Finals the following month.
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But the nature of his performance in Melbourne has left Murray openly questioning how much longer he will continue playing. “I have an idea of what I would probably like to finish playing,” he said before explaining: “The time frame for that narrows when you play and have results like today."
Murray reiterated: "It's just the nature of the performance that makes you question things." He seemed to wave farewell to the Australian crowd and also addressed that afterward.
“Yeah, it's a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here," Murray said. Those comments echo the stance shared at the 2019 tournament during a tearful interview. On that occasion, he remained buoyant despite being knocked out of the tournament, due to the fact he'd been suffering a gruelling hip injury.
Murray was left frustrated with his performance (Getty Images)With his voice wavering while speaking after losing a five-set opening round epic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-2 to Roberto Bautista Agut, Murray said: "It was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone that came out tonight.
"I've loved playing here over the years, it's an amazing place to play tennis. If this was my last match, an amazing match to end. I gave literally everything I had. It wasn't enough tonight, so congratulations to Roberto and his team.
"I don't really have anything else to say but thanks to everyone, my team, my family, and everyone that's contributed to my tennis career. He continued: "Maybe I'll see you again. I'll do everything possible to try.
"If I want to go again, I'll need to have a big operation, which there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back from, but I'll give it my best shot." Later that month, Murray underwent hip resurfacing surgery, his second hip operation in just over 12 months.
That relieved the pain in his hip, and he returned to playing later that summer. However, the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed his return to Australia over the next two years, testing positive before the 2021 tournament.
However, he belatedly returned to Melbourne a year later, reaching the second round. Murray went one better last year, advancing to the third round for the first time since 2017 after beating Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis before - once again - falling to Agut in Australia.