A brave Andy Murray fell in five thrilling sets to Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut at the Australian Open in what could potentially be the final match of his career. The former world No 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion tearfully revealed last week severe pain from a hip injury was proving too much to bear and he planned to retire this year. He would like to finish at Wimbledon but admitted the opening major of the year in Melbourne could be his last tournament. Bautista Agut may have drawn the curtain on Murray’s glittering career where he has been a five-time finalist, winning a five-set marathon 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 on the Melbourne Arena.
“It was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone that came out tonight. I’ve loved playing here over the years, it’s an amazing place to play tennis. If this was my last match, an amazing match to end,” said Murray during his on-court interview with his former coach Mark Petchey.
“I gave literally everything I had. It wasn’t enough tonight so congratulations to Roberto and his team. “I don’t really have anything else to say but thanks to everyone, my team, my family, and everyone that’s contributed to my tennis career. “Maybe I’ll see you again. I’ll do everything possible to try. If I want to go again, I’ll need to have a big operation, which there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to come back from, but I’ll give it my best shot.” 
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