‘I’ve struggled for a long time’: Emotional Andy Murray announces retirement

British tennis player Andy Murray has walked out of a press conference in tears after revealing his plans to hang up his racquet for good due to persistent serious injuries.

The former world number one fought back tears in a press conference at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday, explaining severe hip pain would prevent him from continuing his career. The tennis great underwent hip surgery last year in hopes of relieving the pain and spent much of 2018 recovering.

However, Murray, who is currently ranked number 240 in the world, told reporters he “has been struggling for a long time” and despite his best efforts to get better, things aren’t looking good.

When asked about his fitness, the Scottish-born player said he’s “not feeling good” and doubts he will be able to continue playing beyond the next five months.

The father-of-two said although he hopes to play at Wimbledon in July, he may not be able to bear the pain by then and the Australian Open may be his last tournament.

An emotional Andy Murray says he will play #AusOpen and hopes to play the final tournament of his career at @Wimbledon.

"Not feeling good. Been struggling for a long time…I'm not sure I can play through the pain for another four or five months." pic.twitter.com/g4sLpuiyF4

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2019

“Pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads,” an emotional Murray told reporters in Melbourne. “I think there is a chance the Australian Open is my last tournament.

“I can play with limitations. But having the limitations and the pain is not allowing me to enjoy competing or training. Wimbledon is where I would like to stop playing but I am not certain I am able to do that.”

According to one journalist at the press conference, the British player left the media event in tears after the first question.

Fans and fellow tennis players have already come out in support of Murray, taking to social media to express their sadness and wishing him the best for the future.

American tennis ace Andy Roddick wrote on Twitter: “I tip my cap to @andy_murray! Absolute legend. Short list of best tacticians in history. Unreal results in a brutal era. Nothing but respect here. I hope he can finish strong and healthy.”

One fan wrote: “I love you Andy, I’m so sorry that’s this is how you have to end your career.”

While a third added: “Andy you are amazing. Don’t ever feel as though it’s a bad thing. You’ve been an absolute legend for Britain and we totally adore you on or off court. You are talented, humble, and incredibly. We all have so much love for you.”

The 31-year-old began playing tennis as a young boy and throughout the course of his career has won 45 singles titles, including three Grand Slams, 14 Masters 1000 Series titles and two gold medals at the Olympics. He is estimated to have racked up a whopping US $61 million (AU $85M) in prize money in that time.

Are you a fan of Andy Murray? Will you be sad to see him retire from tennis?