Murray pulls out of Australian Open with hip injury

London :Former world number one Andy Murray has pulled out of the Australian Open after failing to recover from a hip injury, tournament organizers said on Thursday.
The three-time grand slam winner has not played a competitive match since a Wimbledon quarter-final loss last July and despite coming through a one-set exhibition in Abu Dhabi last week, the Briton has decided to focus on rehabilitation.
“Sadly I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete,” Murray, a five-time Australian Open runner-up, said in a statement.
“I’ll be flying home shortly to assess all the options but I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be back playing soon.”
The first grand slam of the year begins on Jan. 15 at Melbourne Park.