Emotional Andy Murray: Says He is Quitting Tennis Earlier Than Expected

• Andy Murray, Britain’s greatest ever tennis player, will retire from the sport due to a longstanding hip problem 
• The Scot wants to end his career at Wimbledon, where he has won twice, but admits that may not be possible 
• The 31-year-old broke down in tears during his announcement in Melbourne on the eve of the Australian Open
• He revealed the pain in his hip had become so unbearable he was struggling to even put on his socks or shoes

Andy Murray broke down in tears today as he revealed that he will end his incredible tennis career at Wimbledon later this year after failing to overcome a devastating hip injury. 

In an emotional press conference, the two-time Wimbledon champion, 31, revealed that the pain was so great that the Australian Open, which starts on Monday, could be the last tournament he ever plays in.  

He said that he hopes to go on until Wimbledon this summer but feels that even that may be a bridge too far, with the pain becoming so unbearable that he was struggling to even put on socks or shoes.  

The Scot, who was thrashed in a practice match by Novak Djokovic yesterday, still plans to take his place in the Melbourne draw, but he could not rule out walking away from the sport if he loses in the first round. 

It would bring down the curtain on one of the great British sporting careers, one that has seen him win three Grand Slams, two Olympic golds and the Davis Cup.

The announcement was met with shock and sadness from the tennis world, with former icons such as Billie Jean King and Andy Roddick calling the Brit a ‘great champion’ and ‘absolute legend’.

Murray, a father-of-two, began his press conference by stating ‘I’m not great’ in a broken tone when asked how he was feeling after an 18-month battle to return to the sport.

He then became emotional and left the room for several minutes to compose himself, and on returning laid bare in heartbreaking detail how the pain in his hip meant he had stopped enjoying the sport he loved.