INJURED MURRAY PONDERS HIP SURGERY

US OPEN absentee Andy Murray is debating a career-shaping decision on whether to undergo surgery on the dodgy hip which has kept him off court since an early Wimbledon loss two months ago. The former No. 1, displaced this month atop the ATP rankings by Rafael Nadal, is said to be weighing his medical options after training in pain onsite at the Open before finally pulling the plug on his participation last weekend. “I have never had to take any time off because of my hip before,” the Scot said. “Obviously I spoke to a number of specialists about the injury to get the best

advice possible. When you speak to a lot, there are different views and opinions on what the best thing to do is moving forward. That’s a decision I’ll need to take now.” Murray’s former coach Leon Smith, the British Davis Cup captain, believes that his long-time pupil can make a full recovery from any surgery if he chooses an operation over weeks of rest to try and cure the hip.

voice” to determine that her time was up as a professional. Date will make her final appearance in next month’s Japan Open, a fortnight before she turns 47. Date returned to tennis last May after a transplant operations to fix knee cartilage. “I was determined to continue my challenge until the day I could no longer ignore my inner voice,” she said. “I had survived painful knee surgery, overcome harsh rehabilitation and hard training to get in shape to play in a tournament, which I feel is a great accomplishment. However, when I compare my level of play to before my injuries, I realise there’s a gap and it’s not easy to fill.” The three-time grand slam semifinaist first retired 21 years ago, but bounced back to start a second career a dozen years later.