So could this be lame, set and match for Murray?
HE is arguably the nation’s greatest sportsman, keeping the country enthralled with his rise to the top of tennis.
But fans were last night fretting over the future of Andy Murray after it emerged he will be out for months with a hip injury.
The former Wimbledon champion and world No1 has opted against surgery but is still unlikely to play again this year.
Murray, 30, ruled himself out of forthcoming events and expects to sit out the final two tournaments in Vienna and Paris.
Surgery was viewed as a potential solution but it is hoped an ‘extended period of rest and rehabilitation’ will improve a chronic condition that has flared up at times and forced him to miss the US Open.
Murray has not played since July, leaving him with a probable six-month break.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘Having consulted with a number of leading hip specialists over the last week, along with my own team, we have decided that this is the best decision for my long-term future.
‘I have a fantastic team working alongside me to help me through this process and appreciate the support from them and all of my fans over this difficult period.’
Fans took to social media to wish the sportsman well. One, Alan Rawlinson, posted: ‘Recover well and look forward to you winning more Grand Slams next year!’