Beset by a troubled hip, Murray announced Friday he would be <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/10/sport/andy-murray-tennis-retirement-hip-intl-spt/index.html" target="_blank">quitting the sport this year</a> because of the pain he experiences.
Beset by a troubled hip, Murray announced Friday he would be quitting the sport this year because of the pain he experiences.
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The vast majority of fans inside the Melbourne Arena for Murray's first round match against Roberto Bautista Agut were cheering the three-time grand slam champion.
The vast majority of fans inside the Melbourne Arena for Murray's first round match against Roberto Bautista Agut were cheering the three-time grand slam champion.
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However, it was Roberto Bautista Agut who made the better start, confidently taking a two set lead against the ailing Murray.
However, it was Roberto Bautista Agut who made the better start, confidently taking a two set lead against the ailing Murray.
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The Briton has tumbled to 229 in the world rankings after 18 months troubled by injury and seemed on course for a sharp exit in Melbourne.
The Briton has tumbled to 229 in the world rankings after 18 months troubled by injury and seemed on course for a sharp exit in Melbourne.
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But the 31-year-old defied the pain and roused the Melbourne crowd with an extraordinary comeback to take the match into a deciding fifth set.
But the 31-year-old defied the pain and roused the Melbourne crowd with an extraordinary comeback to take the match into a deciding fifth set.
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In the crowd were Murray's mother Judy and brother Jamie.
In the crowd were Murray's mother Judy and brother Jamie.
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Battling back in the third and fourth sets took its toll on the Scot as Bautista Agut broke with ease twice in the final set to secure the first victory of his career over Murray.
Battling back in the third and fourth sets took its toll on the Scot as Bautista Agut broke with ease twice in the final set to secure the first victory of his career over Murray.
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After his first-round loss Murray the Briton opened the door to a possible return to Australia by saying he would "do everything possible" to play again in a tournament he has never won.
After his first-round loss Murray the Briton opened the door to a possible return to Australia by saying he would "do everything possible" to play again in a tournament he has never won.
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"If I want to go again, I'll need to have a big operation, which there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back from anyway, but I'll give it my best shot," he said.
"If I want to go again, I'll need to have a big operation, which there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back from anyway, but I'll give it my best shot," he said.
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