Will our Andy ever get back?

The Australian Open starts next week and our main man is not in the draw.

Andy Murray’s withdrawal from the first Grand Slam of the year was certainly not unexpected given his latest injury worry.

But it’s hard for British tennis fans to settle down to watch the action knowing that the only Brit in with a chance of winning will not be there.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon last summer.

Having already missed last year’s US Open the Dunblane star had hoped to be fighting fit and in with a chance of winning a Slam he has been a losing finalist on five separate occasions.

However, after pulling out after his latest setback, Murray explained how demoralising it is to be short of fitness despite six months of painstaking rehabilitation.

He stressed surgery was still something he wanted to avoid but that it was now something he may have to consider.

The big question now is will the man, arguably Scotland’s greatest sportsman, ever get back to a level which will see him compete and potentially winning Grand Slams.

Injuries are part and parcel of being a professional sportsman.

But damage to a hip is one of the most serious especially for a top class tennis player.

For example ex Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt had surgery on both hips and returned to win tournaments - but not at Grand Slam level.

Would Murray accept a similar fate travelling around the world knowing he has little or no chance of winning major titles?

Murray’s absence, coupled with the withdrawal of Kei Nishikori and fitness doubts over Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have left tournament organisers with a real headache.

The women’s draw could also be without several established stars such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka while Britain’s Johanna Konta withdrew from the Brisbane Invitational with a hip injury.

All the while the greatest of them all, Roger Federer, is gearing up for another long season.

Even at the age of 35, the Swiss superstar is the

Federer benefits from a lighter schedule