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. After that he decided to travel on to Brisbane, although his relatively late arrival was a big change of plan to his original intention to arrive in Australia before Christmas to fully acclimatize himself before returning. The initial indication from tournament sources was that he plans to stay on in Australia and still hopes to compete in the first Grand Slam of the season which beginning a week on Monday although this was awaiting confirmation.

In an emotional Instagram post, Murray wrote: 'Hey everyone.. Just wanted to write a little message on here for anyone interested in what in (sic) going through right now’. On November 7 he managed to play three sets against Roger Federer at his charity fundraiser in Glasgow, although that is obviously different to being on court for a full blooded official match against someone like world No 47 Harrison.