LONDON, Dec 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Andy Murray said he was “gutted” to be
missing next month’s Australian Open after being ruled out of the first Grand
Slam of 2020 with a pelvic injury.
The 32-year-old Scot suffered the injury playing for Britain in the Davis
Cup last month and will also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event across
three Australian cities in early January.
“I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at
the top level and I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play in Australia in
January,” Murray said Saturday.
“After the AO (Australian Open) this year, when I wasn’t sure whether I’d
be able to play again, I was excited about coming back to Australia and
giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me.
“Unfortunately I’ve had a setback recently and as a precaution, need to
work through that before I get back on court competing.”
Murray had hoped to make his return to Grand Slam action in Melbourne
following a hip operation in January.
But concerns over the fitness of the five-time losing Australian Open
finalist were raised when he cancelled a scheduled block of training in
Miami.
As a result he won’t be back at Melbourne Park, the scene of an emotional
press conference this year where he suggested he might retire as a result of
his hip injury.
Despite being less than fully fit Murray played a gruelling five-set loss
to Roberto Bautista Agut.
A fortnight later the double Olympic gold medallist, twice a Wimbledon
champion and the winner of the 2012 US Open singles, had hip resurfacing
surgery and started his return to action at the Queen’s Club grass-court
event in London in June.
October saw Murray win the European Open in Antwerp, a victory that
suggested he could still contend for major honours.
But the latest announcement means he will not play again until February at
the earliest.
“I know how excited Andy was about coming back to compete in Australia in
January, and how disappointed he is not to make it for 2020,” said Tennis
Australia chief Craig Tiley, who praised his “determination and iron will”.
“Although we will miss him in January, we wish him all the very best for
his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on court very soon.”
The Australian Open takes place from January 20-February 2 with the ATP
Cup acting as the new men’s lead-up tournament in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane
for 10 days from January 3.