Murray was handed an upset defeat last year, losing to German veteran Mischa Zverev in the fourth round.
It was the beginning of a difficult year for Murray who spent the second half of the year sidelined by injury – but 2018 does not look to be getting any better for the Brit.
Why isn’t Andy Murray playing the Australian Open?
Murray had planned to fly to Australia much earlier than usual, perhaps even before Christmas, but that plan went out the window as his injury rehab appeared to take a blow.
The Scot instead chose to fly to Abu Dhabi before heading to Australia to play the Brisbane International, his chosen warm-up tournament for the first Grand Slam of the year.
However, he pulled out after practicing there, releasing a concerning message that he was considering surgery, before confirming his withdrawal from the Australian Open.
“Surgery is also an option but the chances of a successful outcome are not as I high as I would like which has made this my secondary option and my hope has been to avoid that,” Murray said.
“However this is something I may have to consider but let’s hope not.”
He added: “Sadly I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete.
“I’ll be flying home shortly to assess all the options.”
How did Andy Murray get injured?
At the age of 30, Murray has endured a number of different injuries in his career, having dealt with problems in his knee, ankles, back and elbow.
However, this latest hip complaint first appeared after his French Open 2017 semi-final defeat to Stan Wawrinka.
The British No 1 had fought for five sets against the Swiss and was therefore unsurprised to be sore but the hip continued to give him problems and he was unable to practice in the run-up to Wimbledon.
He did nevertheless play through the injury to take part in the tournament but hobbled throughout and was beaten by Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.
It ended up being Murray’s last match of the season and he is yet to return to competitive tennis.
When will Andy Murray return from injury?
Murray’s progress will depend on his next step. He hinted earlier this month that surgery was a possibility despite concerns it might not work.
However, after six months of non-surgical rehabilitation appear to have failed, it may be his only option, a step that sports physiotherapist Robert Brown says has a number of inherent risks.
“The hip is a weight-bearing joint that takes a lot of stress,” Brown told The Times.
“The main reason hip problems affect tennis players is the fast, rotational change of direction that is so much part of the game.
“The hard surfaces they play on also place a lot of stress on the hip.
“The longer Andy Murray’s injury troubles him, the more concerning it is, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t get back to 100 per cent.”
He added: “Recovery differs from person to person, surgery to surgery, but you’re looking at six to 12 weeks.
“With the simplest of surgery the pain will be well under control after a day or two.
“Patients get rid of their crutches after day two and will even be walking and sleeping fairly comfortably after the third day.
“It’s not so much about the pain, it’s about the function of the hip.
“The hardest thing is to function at that 100 per cent.”