MELBOURNE, Australia/January 04, 2018(AP)(STL.News)— Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Australian Open two days after pulling out of a tuneup tournament in Brisbane because of a lingering right hip problem.

Organizers confirmed Thursday that the five-time Australian Open Finalist would not be playing at the season’s first major, which starts Jan. 15 in Melbourne.

“Sadly I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete,” Murray was quoted as saying.

“I’ll be flying home shortly to assess all the options.”

Former No. 1-ranked Murray, a three-time major winner, has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon.

In a heartfelt social media post earlier in the week after withdrawing from the Brisbane International, the 30-year-old Murray contemplated surgery as an option after failing to overcome the pain with rest and rehabilitation.

By Associated Press, published on STL.NEWS by St. Louis Media, LLC (TM)

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