Andy Murray withdraws from Brisbane, considers hip surgery

[Deleted member 307496]

Federer was never much of a doubles player. I see him playing singles until he no longer enjoys it, then coaching/commenting.

Andy could play with Jamie doubles, he really loves the game and doesn't want to go.

Federer has been a higher ranked doubles player than Murray though. He's won 8 titles and made it as high as World No. 24.

Murray in contrast has only made it to No. 51 and has only won 2 titles.

Jamie is a great doubles player though.

 

[Fedforever]

I've almost given up hope. There's no way he will be fit enough for the AO (what's going to change in 2 weeks?) and it's anybody's guess when he will be fit enough to rejoin the tour (if ever). Surgery may well cure the hip pain but it will almost certainly leave him half the player he has been. There just seems to be no easy way for him now that's going to get him back to top level anytime soon!

Can't tell you how gutted I feel right now but I'm sure you can guess!!!

Many sympathies. I know we're all going to face this sometime with our heroes but if this is it for Murray it's a really horrible way for it to happen.

 

[EloQuent]

I don't see the 2016 Murray beating the 2017 Fedal.

This. Everyone talks about 2017 being weak, but Murray achieved #1 only when Fedal were out and Djokovic had lost his mojo.

 

[EloQuent]

But what use would he be to Jamie with a damaged hip? Even doubles players (and maybe especially doubles players) need to be able to move and change direction quickly!

Sigh, you're probably right.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

This. Everyone talks about 2017 being weak, but Murray achieved #1 only when Fedal were out and Djokovic had lost his mojo.

You're not going to get into Mainad's good books with that. You have to argue against logic and say that he would have beaten them both and been No. 1 despite his previous records against them both.

 

[Mainad]

I am not too sure. I don't see the 2016 Murray beating the 2017 Fedal.

2016 Murray would certainly have been competitive. Not so any version since, of course.

His place in history is not changing significantly either ways. His fans should be happy.

We're happy with his record of course but we still want to see more and most of us think he would have been capable of a bit more. 30 is too young to end your tennis career these days with so many 30 plusses still active and competitive. There''s no way this isn't an unforeseen shock of the highest order!

 

[Mainad]

This. Everyone talks about 2017 being weak, but Murray achieved #1 only when Fedal were out and Djokovic had lost his mojo.

He was capable of beating Djokovic even before he lost his mojo or whatever as the 2016 Rome final proved!

 

[ForumMember]

I think he could have squeezed in another Slam or 2 before he was done but clearly that's not going to happen now. I just can't believe we're already talking about him in the past tense when just 12 months ago he was on top of the tennis world!!!

Yes. This all sounds pretty sad. I hope there is someway which would allow him to play at top for some more years.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

By Rome Djokovic wasn't the same player he was in January. He also won the French and went AWOL. That was truly not long before that.

Unless of course Djokovic randomly switched off one day which I find very hard to believe.

 

[clayqueen]

I feel sad for Andy. It's tough and frustrating to want to compete but your body won't let you.

 

[Desertman]

Guys.....calm down! You make it sound like Murray is going for a leg amputation. Granted, surgery is not the best but if it is done correctly and, with Murray's ball skills, he will be competitive again. The dominant guys are getting older too and the new crop aren't as good so there is room for him. Surgery, a good six months off, start slowly and get into the groove again. Do an Agassi, play some small Challenger events to see where you are and then move up. This time next year he could be back in business.

I want him to go for surgery. Decide now. Do it and get it over and done with. He did it with his back and came back to win another GS, a WTF and get to World No.1 so he can do it here. He has more desire and love for the game than just about anyone else so his drive to get back to fitness is there.

Until he utters the words "I retire", I'm not giving up hope to see him back on court in the latter stages of the biggest tournaments.

 

[clayqueen]

Murray already had back surgery in 2013.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Guys.....calm down! You make it sound like Murray is going for a leg amputation. Granted, surgery is not the best but if it is done correctly and, with Murray's ball skills, he will be competitive again. The dominant guys are getting older too and the new crop aren't as good so there is room for him. Surgery, a good six months off, start slowly and get into the groove again. Do an Agassi, play some small Challenger events to see where you are and then move up. This time next year he could be back in business.

I want him to go for surgery. Decide now. Do it and get it over and done with. He did it with his back and came back to win another GS, a WTF and get to World No.1 so he can do it here. He has more desire and love for the game than just about anyone else so his drive to get back to fitness is there.

Until he utters the words "I retire", I'm not giving up hope to see him back on court in the latter stages of the biggest tournaments.

You're underestimating just how much hip surgery affects players.

I mean it won't matter how cleanly he hits the ball unless he can make it to them.

Not to mention Agassi didn't have a surgery. He was just AWOL and parting/taking drugs. Murray is already trying the best he can to come back and that includes a clean lifestyle.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Murray already had back surgery in 2013.

Yeah and it took him years to get back to his old level.

 

[aman92]

This is really sad to see...I hope surgery helps his recover at least a semblance of his old movement and he has at least one last run left in him. Never want to see a great player's career end like this

 

[Mainad]

Guys.....calm down! You make it sound like Murray is going for a leg amputation. Granted, surgery is not the best but if it is done correctly and, with Murray's ball skills, he will be competitive again. The dominant guys are getting older too and the new crop aren't as good so there is room for him. Surgery, a good six months off, start slowly and get into the groove again. Do an Agassi, play some small Challenger events to see where you are and then move up. This time next year he could be back in business.

I want him to go for surgery. Decide now. Do it and get it over and done with. He did it with his back and came back to win another GS, a WTF and get to World No.1 so he can do it here. He has more desire and love for the game than just about anyone else so his drive to get back to fitness is there.

Until he utters the words "I retire", I'm not giving up hope to see him back on court in the latter stages of the biggest tournaments.

Thanks Desertman! It's so good to see at least 1 or 2 rays of positivity amidst all this doom and gloom. I really hope and pray you're right. One thing's for sure and that is Andy is a warrior and won't go down without fighting the Mother Of All Battles first! Let's hope and pray he can come out from this one with his career intact. He's got a lot of us rooting for him through thick and thin!!!

 

[EloQuent]

He was capable of beating Djokovic even before he lost his mojo or whatever as the 2016 Rome final proved!

Not really interested in an argument that doesn't change any minds, so, I won't. Have a great day!

 

[tennisaddict]

Guys.....calm down! You make it sound like Murray is going for a leg amputation. Granted, surgery is not the best but if it is done correctly and, with Murray's ball skills, he will be competitive again. The dominant guys are getting older too and the new crop aren't as good so there is room for him. Surgery, a good six months off, start slowly and get into the groove again. Do an Agassi, play some small Challenger events to see where you are and then move up. This time next year he could be back in business.

I want him to go for surgery. Decide now. Do it and get it over and done with. He did it with his back and came back to win another GS, a WTF and get to World No.1 so he can do it here. He has more desire and love for the game than just about anyone else so his drive to get back to fitness is there.

Until he utters the words "I retire", I'm not giving up hope to see him back on court in the latter stages of the biggest tournaments.

Your prerogative to be positive but you should also be realistic to avoid disappointment.

If you are the kind who will be just happy to see Andy on the court whether he wins or losses then I would say there is a fair chance. But to expect him to be at the highest levels seems too much of hope at this time

 

[Desertman]

You're underestimating just how much hip surgery affects players.

I mean it won't matter how cleanly he hits the ball unless he can make it to them.

Not to mention Agassi didn't have a surgery. He was just AWOL and parting/taking drugs. Murray is already trying the best he can to come back and that includes a clean lifestyle.

Absolutely, surgery is never good. But I have a friend who just happens to be an orthopedic surgeon. He's got a good idea of what the problem is with Murray and he says that if he can still run and hit a ball now, even in a compromised way (which we have seen in the expo and Abu Dhabi), then his injury is troublesome but not unfixable with little or no lingering weakness or pain, given enough post op rest and therapy. It is possible to get back to 100%. It all depends on the extent of the condition but he wouldn't be out there if doctors have told him the game's up. They've obviously told him that R&R may work but it seems it hasn't, so he should now go for the second option.

Yes, be worried; but don't write his obituary yet.

 

[EloQuent]

You're not going to get into Mainad's good books with that. You have to argue against logic and say that he would have beaten them both and been No. 1 despite his previous records against them both.

I'm beginning to see that every thread here eventually ends up with each fan base arguing their player is the bestest. Murray is a fine player, and I don't have anything against him. I just never got why "big 4" ever made sense, he's obvious a rung below the other 3.

 

[tennisaddict]

Thanks Desertman! It's so good to see at least 1 or 2 rays of positivity amidst all this doom and gloom. I really hope and pray you're right. One thing's for sure and that is Andy is a warrior and won't go down without fighting the Mother Of All Battles first! Let's hope and pray he can come out from this one with his career intact. He's got a lot of us rooting for him through thick and thin!!!

I can see those sentences applicable for Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Hewitt and the likes. It seems a stretch for Andy. In long matches against big players in majors he often succumbs at the end quietly.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Absolutely, surgery is never good. But I have a friend who just happens to be an orthopedic surgeon. He's got a good idea of what the problem is with Murray and he says that if he can still run and hit a ball now, even in a compromised way (which we have seen in the expo and Abu Dhabi), then his injury is troublesome but not unfixable with little or no lingering weakness or pain, given enough post op rest and therapy. It is possible to get back to 100%. It all depends on the extent of the condition but he wouldn't be out there if doctors have told him the game's up. They've obviously told him that R&R may work but it seems it hasn't, so he should now go for the second option.

Yes, be worried; but don't write his obituary yet.

Fair enough. Let's just wait and see.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I'm beginning to see that every thread here eventually ends up with each fan base arguing their player is the bestest. Murray is a fine player, and I don't have anything against him. I just never got why "big 4" ever made sense, he's obvious a rung below the other 3.

I liked Murray a lot when people were saying he'd never win a slam because I thought he was too good to never lift a big trophy like that at least once or twice.

But when I started hearing about him being an ATG that would have been as good as Andre Agassi in a "different era" I kind of turned off the guy. Nothing against Andy, he is a great human being and a wonderful tennis player -- but his fans are insane.

It's good you're learning quick though.

A lot of the time I have to defend Lleyton Hewitt because he is my own personal favorite player but in "another era" I don't see him being much more successful than he was in his own. I just try and defend his current achievements which are laughed at and mocked because people bring up "transitional eras" or "weak eras" to downplay his achievements.

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's a hard pill for him to swallow. He's clearly devastated at the moment. I admire his honesty here. Its not easy to admit those things the way he did.

I knew Andy was in trouble when he didn't look any better against RBA than he did against Fed in the Glasgow exo which was 2 months ago.

Michael Chang returned to the game after breaking his hip and he did win titles and was still a force in tennis. I hope Andy does as well. His statement was very classy.

 

[Mainad]

I can see those sentences applicable for Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Hewitt and the likes. It seems a stretch for Andy. In long matches against big players in majors he often succumbs at the end quietly.

I'm not going to get into an argument with you about his 5 set record (although can't resist pointing out that he won his 1st Slam by refusing to succumb at the end of a long 5 setter) but just want to point out his desire and determination to play. Overcoming serious injury is a different kind of battle but one just as important and I feel sure he will try everything possible to overcome this until every last possible option has been tried. He may not succeed in the end but he clearly won't go down without an almighty fight. That is what I meant.

 

[EloQuent]

I liked Murray a lot when people were saying he'd never win a slam because I thought he was too good to never lift a big trophy like that at least once or twice.

But when I started hearing about him being an ATG that would have been as good as Andre Agassi in a "different era" I kind of turned off the guy. Nothing against Andy, he is a great human being and a wonderful tennis player -- but his fans are insane.

It's good you're learning quick though.

A lot of the time I have to defend Lleyton Hewitt because he is my own personal favorite player but in "another era" I don't see him being much more successful than he was in his own. I just try and defend his current achievements which are laughed at and mocked because people bring up "transitional eras" or "weak eras" to downplay his achievements.

I can actually hear the case for Andy / Andre comparison...but I won't pick a fight lol.

My personal fav (asides from Federer- who is the reason I even follow the sport) is Andy Roddick. Great personality, last great US player to date, shame he coincided with the GOAT

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I can actually hear the case for Andy / Andre comparison...but I won't pick a fight lol.

My personal fav (asides from Federer- who is the reason I even follow the sport) is Andy Roddick. Great personality, last great US player to date, shame he coincided with the GOAT

Roddick should have at least 2 majors to his name. It's a shame he's lumped in with Marin Cilic today on this board. I remember during the 2005 Australian Open, Roddick was seeded 2nd and people were talking about him being a legitimate threat for the title. And that was with Federer still in the draw.

People just didn't watch the guy enough to appreciate how good A-Rod really was.

 

[Mainad]

Not really interested in an argument that doesn't change any minds, so, I won't. Have a great day!

That's a shame but have a great day anyway!

 

[wangs78]

Hip injuries are very hard (basically impossible) to recover from. It’s always a deterioration of the cartilage which never heals so the best one can do is minimize further damage. So I think Murray will try surgery, rehab, try to come back, basically a 12-18 month process, then realize he can’t compete anymore, then retire. Tough way to go, but many athletes go out this way...

 

[EloQuent]

Roddick should have at least 2 majors to his name. It's a shame he's lumped in with Marin Cilic today on this board. I remember during the 2005 Australian Open, Roddick was seeded 2nd and people were talking about him being a legitimate threat for the title. And that was with Federer still in the draw.

People just didn't watch the guy enough to appreciate how good A-Rod really was.

Hey now, Cilic is solid too! But yeah, Roddick better.

 

[Wander]

Would be such a shame if this was it for Andy. I would guess that he ends up getting it operated sooner or later. Hope he's able to come back.

 

[norcal]

No one in the past could get back to CONSISTENT top level play after massive hip surgery. Best example is Guga.

Very true. That surgery was in it's infancy when Guga had it though. A lot of strides have been made (no pun intended) in surgical technique. Hoping for the best for the guy.

 

[Wander]

dp

 

[killerboi2]

You're not going to get into Mainad's good books with that. You have to argue against logic and say that he would have beaten them both and been No. 1 despite his previous records against them both.

Lendl's Murray has a pretty good record against Djokovic. 5-6 with Murray arguably winning the more important matches. This isn't Mauresmo's Murray that was constantly losing to all top players. Also destroying Fed at Olympics and beating Fed at a slam. Of course you've probably got an excuse for every single one of them wins against Fed and Djoko, lmao.

 

[NatF]

I've almost given up hope. There's no way he will be fit enough for the AO (what's going to change in 2 weeks?) and it's anybody's guess when he will be fit enough to rejoin the tour (if ever). Surgery may well cure the hip pain but it will almost certainly leave him half the player he has been. There just seems to be no easy way for him now that's going to get him back to top level anytime soon!

Can't tell you how gutted I feel right now but I'm sure you can guess!!!

No way he's going to the AO, agree with you there. He'll surely try a comeback on the tour though.

Horrible for a players career to not end on their terms. Fingers crossed though. As long as Murray is determined there's hope.

 

[NatF]

Delete

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Lendl's Murray has a pretty good record against Djokovic. 5-6 with Murray arguably winning the more important matches. This isn't Mauresmo's Murray that was constantly losing to all top players. Also destroying Fed at Olympics and beating Fed at a slam. Of course you've probably got an excuse for every single one of them wins against Fed and Djoko, lmao.

Yeah man, Murray completely forgot how to play tennis when a woman coached him. Let's all pretend that's somehow true. Lmao.

Hewitt destroyed Sampras at a slam and beat him at Queens. We both know you have excuses for them though so two can play at that game.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Lendl's Murray has a pretty good record against Djokovic. 5-6 with Murray arguably winning the more important matches. This isn't Mauresmo's Murray that was constantly losing to all top players. Also destroying Fed at Olympics and beating Fed at a slam. Of course you've probably got an excuse for every single one of them wins against Fed and Djoko, lmao.

Yeah man, Murray completely forgot how to play tennis when a woman coached him. Let's all pretend that's somehow true. Lmao.

Hewitt destroyed Sampras at a slam and beat him at Queens. We both know you have excuses for them though so two can play at that game.

 

[Jackuar]

Good luck and best wishes to you Andy. Too bad to go out this way. He isn't coming back to top 5.

 

[Meles]

2016 Murray would certainly have been competitive. Not so any version since, of course.... We're happy with his record of course but we still want to see more and most of us think he would have been capable of a bit more. 30 is too young to end your tennis career these days with so many 30 plusses still active and competitive. There''s no way this isn't an unforeseen shock of the highest order!

The hip pretty much cements in my mind that Murray's promise never was fulfilled all these years due to back and now hip injuries. Murray before his prime did this to the GOAT:
11/2009 SF Indian Wells Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-3 4-6 6-1 2.25 - 1.74
2/2009 SF Doha Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-7(6) 6-2 6-2 2.05 - 1.87
45/2008 RR B Tennis Masters Cup Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5 2.20 - 1.65
42/2008 SF Madrid Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-5 3.55 - 1.36
35/2008 F US Open Hard Roger Federer Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2 1.54 - 2.75
10/2008 R32 Dubai Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-7(6) 6-3 6-4 4.20 - 1.20
33/2006 R32 Cincinnati Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 7-5 6-4 12.00 - 1.03
39/2005 F Bangkok Hard Roger Federer Andy Murray 6-3 7-5 1.04 - 19.50

6-2 against prime Fed; that was Andy Murray and why he got the Big 4 moniker from the press all those years ago.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

What about doubles?

if this was singles-career-ending, I would love to see him team up with his bro and take on the doubles scene.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

But what use would he be to Jamie with a damaged hip? Even doubles players (and maybe especially doubles players) need to be able to move and change direction quickly!

serving and ros are still huge assets (especially andy’s ros)!

and a quarter or tenth of the running he does in singles!

 

[Deon Sanders]

Murray's post is very clear. He is going to retire by end of year.

End of the pusher era between him and Djoker going out

Cant say its bad for tennis

 

[clayqueen]

If Murray is forced to retire from tennis because of his hip would he become:

Chairman of the AELTC or will he replace one of the following in the commentary box?:

Petchy
Rusedski
Cowan
Milne
Parma
Bradnam

 

[BeatlesFan]

I feel sure he will try everything possible to overcome this until every last possible option has been tried. He may not succeed in the end but he clearly won't go down without an almighty fight.

Good point, and let's contrast Murray's drive and will in comparison to complete jerks like Tomic or even Nick. Both of them tank, act the fool on court and seem to take for granted the money and the privilege of being a pro tennis player. Murray loves the game, the competition and just being on court. He may have looked miserable much of the time on court in the past 10 years, but it seems Muzz really does love tennis. I hope he comes back and becomes a force in the game again.
@Mainad -- don't despair, he'll be back.

 

[Vrad]

I think there's no other option to be honest, his movement looks absolutely horrible at the moment.

Saw him practice at the USO.

He may have been the only one in the entire court that did not think he should withdraw. He was looking really bad. It was rare when he got a rally back in play.

Feels bad because as much as I don't enjoy his style of play, I like Murray, and I think he adds a lot to every tournament. Especially since currently the best players on tour are the same guys as 11 years ago.

 

[fedtennisphan]

The hip pretty much cements in my mind that Murray's promise never was fulfilled all these years due to back and now hip injuries. Murray before his prime did this to the GOAT:
11/2009 SF Indian Wells Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-3 4-6 6-1 2.25 - 1.74
2/2009 SF Doha Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-7(6) 6-2 6-2 2.05 - 1.87
45/2008 RR B Tennis Masters Cup Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5 2.20 - 1.65
42/2008 SF Madrid Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-5 3.55 - 1.36
35/2008 F US Open Hard Roger Federer Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2 1.54 - 2.75
10/2008 R32 Dubai Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 6-7(6) 6-3 6-4 4.20 - 1.20
33/2006 R32 Cincinnati Masters Hard Andy Murray Roger Federer 7-5 6-4 12.00 - 1.03
39/2005 F Bangkok Hard Roger Federer Andy Murray 6-3 7-5 1.04 - 19.50

6-2 against prime Fed; that was Andy Murray and why he got the Big 4 moniker from the press all those years ago.

No, the big four moniker for Andy Murray was wishful thinking and that 6-2 record against Fed is overrated luckily the non-prime Federer set the record straight.

 

[Russeljones]

No, the big four moniker for Andy Murray was wishful thinking and that 6-2 record against Fed is overrated luckily the non-prime Federer set the record straight.

Some people will never understand the extent to which Roger programmed his being to peak 4 times a year. It's incomprehensible to them that something like a Masters 1000 could have been deemed as unnecessary.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

He has to play AO and then go for the surgery.

There are all sorts of consequences, but non as grave as not being able to compete at all and just fill the spots in the draws.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He has to play AO and then go for the surgery.

Why would he bother playing the AO? If you saw his match against RBA, he'd had difficulty even beating Serena with his current lack of movement. Playing the AO is just another wasted month for him, he has zero chance of winning it and would probably lose in the first round. Get the surgery ASAP and start his recovery. He'll be 32 by the time he can even be back on court hitting balls. Time really is on the essence here, he's not 23 anymore.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Why would we bother playing the AO? If you saw his match against RBA, he'd had difficulty even beating Serena with his current lack of movement. Playing the AO is just another wasted month for him, he has zero chance of winning it and would probably lose in the first round. Get the surgery ASAP and start his recovery. He'll be 32 by the time he can even be back on court hitting balls. Time really is on the essence here, he's not 23 anymore.

Well, he could try to play as well as he can and see where it gets him.

If it is a 1st round defeat then so be it, but if he doesn't even try for at least the AO that makes his prior decisions even more disastrous.

 

[EloQuent]

Well, he could try to play as well as he can and see where it gets him.

If it is a 1st round defeat then so be it, but if he doesn't even try for at least the AO that makes his prior decisions even more disastrous.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost

 

[Apun94]

I am really feeling sorry for Murray. He had a great career winning 3 majors, 2 OG, 1 WTF and YE No 1. I think that was his ceiling anyway. He should be proud !!

That was not his ceiling lol. He couldve definitely won more, for sure.
The sad thing is he's not going to anymore