Former world number one Andy Murray withdrew from the Brisbane International with a hip problem on Tuesday, further putting in doubt the Briton’s prospects of being fit in time for the Australian Open later this month.
Murray has not played a competitive match since a Wimbledon quarter-final loss last July due to the complaint and despite coming through a one-set exhibition in Abu Dhabi last week, he was unable to train on Tuesday and announced his withdrawal.
The world number 16 and second seed had been due to play his first tournament match of the season on Thursday with a second-round encounter against American Ryan Harrison at Pat Rafter Arena.
Murray had said on Sunday he felt in great shape at the start of the new season and said he was confident he would play in Brisbane. However, on Tuesday he announced he had withdrawn from the tournament. Murray joins top seed and world number one Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the tournament late last week, on the sidelines.