Andy Murray injury latest: Stricken Brit delivers rehabilitation update after return to UK

Murray has not played a competitive match since he hobbled out of his home Grand Slam in a five-set loss to Sam Querrey.

The Brit took the rest of 2017 off to deal with his hip problem and initially refused surgery because of the lack of guarantees about success.

However, after admitting defeat in his efforts to return in time for the ongoing Australian Open, the 30-year-old took the decision to go under the knife in Melbourne.

Murray has publicly targeted a return in time for the grass-court season if not before, and during an impromptu Twitter Q&A in the early hours of this morning he held while battling jet lag, he gave British tennis fans a positive update.

Asked how his rehab was progressing, Murray answered: “Really well.. Much better than I expected so far.”

Hip surgery patients are generally expected to make rapid progress in the early stages of recovery and Murray, who had the procedure less than two weeks ago, posted a video on his Facebook page this week showing him working in the gym.

“Not the sort of trip I envisaged on the way over here,” he wrote under the video.

“Was pumped to get back competing at the Australian Open but ended up getting hip surgery and doing crosswords with my mum.

“Heading home positive about the future.”

But despite Murray’s Australian Open absence, British fans have still had plenty to cheer about in Melbourne.

“Physical test passed,” Murray said.

“Mental strength passed.

“I reckon that’s biggest win of Kyle Edmund’s career!

“Well done kedders.”

Edmund could overtake Murray as British No 1 as soon as March, especially if he beats Andreas Seppi tomorrow to reach a first ever Grand Slam quarter-final.

But the Yorkshireman was typically understated in the wake of his five-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the third round.

“The physical test was a great, great win for me to come through like that in a Grand Slam,” Edmund said.

“Best-of-five sets in that kind of heat; it’s really good for my career and my confidence going forward, for sure.”