Tennis news - Andy Murray springs surprise as he hints at reversing retirement plans

ByTom Adams

Updated 14/01/2019 at 15:08 GMT

Andy Murray hinted that he may not be ready to retire after all after a sensational battling performance in his first-round defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut at the Australian Open.

In a heartbreaking press conference before the start of the tournament, Murray said that his chronic hip injury meant he would almost certainly retire after Wimbledon this year – and that he feared he may not even get that far due to the pain he was under.

[WATCH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN LIVE ON EUROSPORT AND EUROSPORT PLAYER]

But despite going two sets down to Bautista Agut, Murray showed incredible reserves of resilience as he fought back courtesy of two tie-breaks to take the Spaniard to a deciding set, which he lost.

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With everyone poised to write the obituaries for Murray’s amazing career – which has seen him win three Grand Slams, two Olympic golds and reach the world No. 1 spot – Murray told his audience that he may yet be back to challenge at the Australian Open in 2020.

Murray would require a hip resurfacing operation if he is to continue - a big procedure.

“Maybe I’ll see you again,” Murray said live on Eurosport.

Murray: 'Maybe I’ll see you again... I'll give it my best shot'

I’ll do everything possible to try… if I’m going to go again I’ll have to have a big operation and there’s no guarantee I could come back from it, but I’ll give it my best shot.

However, Murray did concede there is a chance that he may be finished in tennis – and said it would be a fine way to bow out after an emotional and dramatic night in Melbourne.

“Amazing… it was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone who came out tonight,” he said.

“I’ve honestly loved playing here over the years, it’s an amazing place to play tennis.

“If this was my last match it’s an amazing way to end it – I gave it everything.”

Highlights: Murray's magnificent comeback halted by Bautista Agut

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