Andy Murray confirms he will retire from tennis at Wimbledon

Former world No 1 Andy Murray has broken down in tears at an Australian Open press conference where he confirmed his plans to retire.

Andy Murray of England (right) is seen with Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) during a training session at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Thursday, January 10, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Andy Murray concedes the Australian Open could be his last tournament after outlining plans to retire.

The former world No 1 fought back tears as he revealed he has decided to quit the sport because of chronic hip soreness.

Struggling with the pain on a daily basis, Murray said that while he could well call time at the conclusion of his Melbourne campaign, he hopes to make it to his home grand slam at Wimbledon and end his career in front of a home crowd.

LAY OFF KYRGIOS, STOP CRUCIFYING HIM: GROTH

What a champion! All class @andy_murray 👏🏻

— Sam Groth (@SamGrothTennis) January 11, 2019

The Scot, 31, broke down emotionally when asked about his fitness after barely surviving a practice session with Novak Djokovic yesterday.

“Not great,” he said before excusing himself and leaving the interview room.

When he returned, the dual Wimbledon champion and US Open winner said: “So I’m not feeling great.

“Been struggling for a long time, I’ve been in a lot of pain for probably about 20 months.

“I’ve pretty much done everything I could get my hip feeling better.

Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime. What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend! @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Bcs0cdllJp

— Grigor Dimitrov (@GrigorDimitrov) January 11, 2019

Andy Murray of Great Britain breaks down during a press conference

Very sad how rapidly this has all happened. Andy Murray to retire at this year's Wimbledon. Pain in hip so severe that Australian Open could even be his final professional tournament.

— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) January 11, 2019

Andy Murray during his press conference

“I’m in a better place than I was six months ago but I’m still in a lot of pain.

“It’s been tough.”

Murray agreed the Australian Open, where has lost five finals (2009-10, ’13, 15-16), could be the last of his astonishing career.

The baseliner said he could still “play to a level, but not a level I’m happy about.”

Murray told his team during the off-season of his plans to bow out at Wimbledon.

He said he could undergo further surgery this year but that would be to help him post-career.

Murray is due to face Roberto Bautista-Agut in the first round at Melbourne Park.

A raw and emotional first press conference at this #AusOpen, with Andy Murray accepting his tennis mortality and saying that Wimbledon this year, at the latest, will be his "end point."

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 11, 2019