Andy Murray's Instagram post after Brisbane International exit. Photo / Instagram
Andy Murray is the kid from English Christmas cinematic classic Love Actually.
That's what tennis fans believe at least.
It's hard to argue with them after the former World No. 1 posted a heartbreaking, classy image of himself as a kid on Instagram as he revealed to his followers he is facing the prospect of surgery.
Read more: Emotional Andy Murray remains in doubt for Australian Open
Murray made a public apology to fans in the lengthy post and tries to explain his tough decision to pull out of this week's Brisbane International because of his ongoing hip issues.
It leaves his Australian Open campaign in doubt as well as his first half of the entire ATP season if scans reveal surgery is his best hope for overcoming the injury, which crippled his 2017 campaign.
The 30-year-old Scot posted the image of himself as a kid to explain to his supporters how much the child inside him wants to be able to come back and play tennis.
His extensive and emotional post left many tennis commentators heartbroken.
Many more were simply taken back by the striking resemblance between Murray's Instagram post and English actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who plays Sam the drummer in the hit Pommy rom-com.
Brodie-Sangster also had a leading role in hit TV show Game of Thrones.
@andy_murray @JudyMurray Tennis Champ & played the drums in "Love Actually" pic.twitter.com/tsJ3hMY8MV
— Abe Taylor (@AbeTaylor1980) January 2, 2018
didn't know Andy Murray also starred in Love Actually pic.twitter.com/gHwu5p1nCS
— Kyle Schnitzer (@Kyle_Schnitzer) January 2, 2018
TIL andy murray was the kid from love, actually pic.twitter.com/hYBJTP5Nkl
— c (@kh3dira) January 2, 2018
Young @andy_murray is a dead ringer for the kid from Love Actually... pic.twitter.com/RvxU0yfDCY
— Michael Barraclough (@m_barraclough) January 2, 2018
So instead of becoming a musician, he grew up to be a world class tennis player, former world no. 1, holding 2 olympic gold medals, 3 slam titles and married to a very beautiful Brit. #LoveActually #murray https://t.co/Pd31yyMW6Z
— Jess 🍵 (@jessica4stein) January 2, 2018
Sad news about his hip but I can't get over the fact that I had no idea @andy_murray was in Love Actually. #AndyMurray pic.twitter.com/W7fQqMgBOC
— freya couzens (@fholme) January 2, 2018
Murray and his fans could certainly use a giggle at a time like this.
His emotional post shows just how tough his injury rehabilitation training has been — as he could only watch on as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer swept all before them in 2017.
Here is his Instagram caption in full.
"Hey everyone.. Just wanted to write a little message on here for anyone interested in what in going through right now," he wrote.
"Firstly I want to apologise to @brisbanetennis for withdrawing at late notice and to everyone who wanted to come along to watch me play (or lose) The organisers couldn't have been more understanding and supportive and I'll always remember that. Thank you.
"I've obviously been going through a really difficult period with my hip for a long time and have sought council from a number of hip specialists. Having been recommended to treat my hip conservatively since the US Open I have done everything asked of me from a rehab perspective and worked extremely hard to try get back on the court competing.
"Having played practice sets here in Brisbane with some top players unfortunately this hasn't worked yet to get me to the level I would like so I have to reassess my options. Obviously continuing rehab is one option and giving my hip more time to recover.
"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. However this is something I may have to consider but let's hope not.
"I choose this pic as the little kid inside me just wants to play tennis and Compete.. I genuinely miss it so much and i would give anything to be back out there. I didn't realise until these last few months just how much I love this game.
"Everytime I wake up from sleeping or napping i hope that it's better and it's quite demoralising when you get on the court it's not at the level you need it to be to compete at this level.
"In the short term I'm going to be staying in Australia for the next couple of days to see if my hip settles down a bit and will decide by the weekend whether to stay out here or fly home to assess what I do next.
"Sorry for the long post but I wanted to keep everyone in the loop and get this off my chest as it's really hurting inside. Hope to see you back on the court soon."
The classy post attracted messages of sympathy from several tennis commentators, including Nadal.
"Andy, we miss you and we hope to see you back soon! Get well my friend," Nadal commented on Murray's post.
Andy Murray could retire today and is a no-brainer Hall of Famer (knighted, no less)...But, man, this is heartbreaking: https://t.co/wkOLKfMfeq
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) January 2, 2018
Sad outcome for @andy_murray, here’s his recent interview with 7 News where he speaks about how disappointed he’d be to not win a few matches at the Brisbane International - he now won’t even get to play given his persistent hip injury @7NewsBrisbane https://t.co/L8K3E6aGXN
— Ben Murphy (@BenBMurph) January 2, 2018
If you want insight into why so many journalists appreciate Andy Murray and his thoughtfulness in relation to his career, this post is a prime example.
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) January 2, 2018
Here's hoping he figures this hip thing out... https://t.co/icL9KVIKJk pic.twitter.com/JZiZQjhSwq
Murray is in grave doubt for the Australian Open.
The world No. 16 had hoped to play his first tournament match since July on Thursday — a second-round clash with American Ryan Harrison at Pat Rafter Arena.
However, the 30-year-old again succumbed to a right hip injury that has kept him out of tournament play since Wimbledon.
Barring a miraculous recovery in the coming days, Murray looks destined to join fellow "Big Four" members Rafael Nadal (back) and Novak Djokovic (elbow) in missing the year's opening grand slam in Melbourne starting on January 15.
Alarm bells were ringing for Murray when he made his long awaited return to court and lost 6-2 to world No. 20 Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in a one-set exhibition match in Abu Dhabi last week.
Then the Scot — initially expected in Brisbane before Christmas — delayed his arrival in Queensland in another indication his fitness was not 100 per cent.
It leaves the Brisbane International largely bereft of star power after the withdrawal of Nadal last week.
— with AAP
The match featured windy conditions, making play challenging for both.