Andy Murray’s blighted Australian sojourn came to a dramatic halt on Thursday, as he headed for home to contemplate the grim prospect of having surgery on his injured hip. The 30-year-old Scot flew out of Brisbane to Melbourne just before lunchtime - giving the impression he was making a last-ditch effort to get ready for the Australian Open, which starts on Monday week and later boarded a flight for London. An operation and the resultant recovery would keep Murray out of the game for several months, but could also save a career that has been imperiled since his painful exit from Wimbledon in July. He has not played since.

Murray is due to land in London on Friday morning. He said in a brief statement: “Sadly I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete. I’ll be flying home shortly to assess all the options but I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be back playing soon”. After battling against the odds to get back on court, the former world No1 was forced to bow to the logic of his own declaration in November: “I’ll come back when I’m ready and a hundred per cent fit.”

He is far from that. Having striven so hard through 24 unbeaten matches at the end of 2016 to reach the summit of his sport, Murray has tumbled to 16 in the world and will drop at least a further two places on Monday, which would have left him seriously vulnerable in the Open draw.