Andy Murray has undergone further hip surgery in a bid to save his tennis career. The former world No.1 said his right hip has not subsided despite an operation a year earlier.
“I underwent a hip resurfacing operation yesterday (Monday) morning in London I feel a little tired and bruised now, but I hope it will be the end of my hip pain,” posted Murray on Instagram.
During this resurfacing operation, which consisted of replacing only the two articular surfaces of the hip by sacrificing the month of bone possible, Murray was also posed with a metal plate.
If he has finally resolved to return to an operating room after having hesitated for a long time, it is more to make his everyday life easier than to possibly be able to replay tennis at a high level.
The triple winner of Grand Slam tournament has been suffering from the hip for a year and a half. In January 2018, he retired from Australian Open for the first hip operation and did not return to the courts until last June at the Queen’s tournament in London.
He had only participated in four more tournaments before finishing his season in September and focusing on fitness.
In Melbourne this year, the 31-year-old Scotsman announced in tears, three days before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, that he intended to retire in 2019 while hoping he could go to Wimbledon, his favorite tournament. He has won twice in 2013 and 2016.
Andy Murray says goodbye to his fans after facing Roberto Bautista Agut in Australia Open. (Source:www.theirishtimes.com)
In the first round of Australia Open in Melbourne, Murray pushed until the fifth set the Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut, future quarter-finalist.
The Grand Slam winning doubles champion Bob Bryan on the other hand, he had warned Murray that there were no guarantee he would return to the top.
“I’m really the only guy to be playing on tour with a metal hip so he’s been watching me like a hawk, asking me how I’m feeling after matches, after practices, where I’m at.” Bryan said.
But I never once told him this is the way to go, because I do see that singles is a different monster. Those guys are really sliding around, killing themselves for four hours. Who knows if this joint would hold up?” the American added.
