Thursday 24 May 2018 14:29, UK
Britain's Andy Murray has had hip surgery in Australia and is hoping to return to competitive tennis for the 2018 grass-court season.
Murray has not played competitively since being knocked out of Wimbledon in July and was forced to pull out of the Australian Open which is due to start on January 15.
The former world No 1 announced on his Facebook page that he underwent successful surgery to his right hip in Melbourne on Monday morning.
Murray said: "Today I underwent successful right hip surgery at the St Vincent Hospital in Melbourne.
"I'd like to thank Dr John O'Donnell and all of the staff for looking after me.
"I look forward to returning to competitive tennis during the grass-court season.
"Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and support over the last few days.
"I'll come back from this."
If I can get myself to 95 per cent of my best, I believe that's enough to compete at the highest level. No question.
After undergoing the operation, Murray's outlook was a lot more hopeful, although he will now focus his attentions on winning big tournaments rather than concentrate on gaining ranking points.
"I'm very optimistic because, having spoken to the surgeon after he did the surgery, he was very happy about how it went," world No 19 Murray said, quoted by several national newspapers.
"He felt that my hip will be feeling better than it did a year ago and, obviously, I was still doing fine a year ago, I was ranked No 1 in the world.
"Moving forward I'll certainly be playing a reduced schedule, and then focusing more on trying to win major events and big tournaments rather than trying to achieve certain ranking goals."
Murray also said he underwent some minor surgery on his groin on December 18.
He concedes he may only ever reach 95 per cent fitness but believes that would still be enough to challenge for Grand Slam titles.
"I've been fairly competitive with top-50 players in the world practising in Brisbane when I was struggling to move, and I made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon when I literally couldn't walk and was in so much pain," Murray said.
"So if I can get myself to 95 per cent of my best, I believe that's enough to compete at the highest level. No question."
Murray later shared a picture of himself in his hospital bed on Instagram, where his coach Jamie Delgado was visiting him. He thanked people for their support and again reiterated his positivity.
He wrote: "A little post op photo. I'm feeling really positive and looking forward to starting rehab. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and support the last few days.. It really helps.
"And everyone try and find a partner who looks at you the way Jamie Delgado looks at me."
