Andy Murray’s Legacy: Hip Issues Transform into a Symbol of Resilience
Editor: Everett Chi
Introduction:
Andy Murray is a former British tennis player, known for his powerful strokes, net skills, and strong serve. Despite competing in an era dominated by legends such as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, he clinched a world No. 1 title through the tough competition—securing his name among these greats. However, his bountiful career was seemingly cut short due to a devastating hip injury that progressively worsened, ultimately transforming his career into a legacy.
Early Career:
Murray’s professional tennis career began at 18 years old, swiftly carving his path through the ranks to cement a name for himself. His eventual breakthrough in fame came in 2012, when he won the U.S. Open, becoming the first British man in 76 years to win the Grand Slam title. Feeding off the momentum, he followed through with a Wimbledon victory in 2013 and a second Wimbledon in 2016. Over the course of his career, Murray achieved three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and ranked as the No. 1 player in the world.
Injury:
By 2017, Murray began noticing persistent pain in his right hip, which started the derailment of his career. When the pain only worsened, he was forced to withdraw from multiple of his scheduled tournaments. Diagnosed with early hip degeneration, which resulted in worn cartilage and a torn labrum, Murray found stability, joint movement, and bearing weight increasingly difficult. What originally had been the foundation of his athleticism became his greatest obstacle. This injury extended past his sphere in tennis, even leading to struggles in everyday activities.
Surgery:
In January 2018, Murray underwent his first hip surgery, repairing the damaged joint and cartilage. Although the surgery initially seemed successful, lingering hip pain continued to limit his ability to compete in tennis.
This continued to the 2019 Australian Open, where Murray tearfully admitted, “I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months." Facing the brink of retirement, Murray decided to undergo a risky hip resurfacing surgery, where the femoral head is capped with a smooth metal surface and his hip socket replaced with a metal cup. The surgery was not very popular due to both its high risk and increased proneness to injury afterward.
Post-Injury:
Miraculously, the surgery was a success, and Murray returned to competing professionally after a few months. During this time, Murray went through rehabilitation, balancing it with his revitalizing tennis career. No longer capable of playing at his peak, he was forced to adapt his game—relying more on tactical plays and shot placement than relentless agility and defense. While he never reached the highs of his past, Murray continued to remain a professional in his sport.
Murray ultimately retired at 37 after competing with Daniel Evans in the men’s doubles quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.He went on to become a powerful voice for athlete health, sharing stories about dealing with the physical and mental toll associated with surgery for chronic injuries. His openness encouraged others to share their own stories and all the struggles that are associated with them.
Conclusion:
Though Murray could no longer reach the pinnacle of tennis where he once stood, his legacy extended beyond just trophies and rankings. His return from hardship resulted in his birth as a symbol of perseverance. He fought through the pain and risked his future to pursue his tennis career. His greatness is not measured in titles or victories, but rather in his courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. This persistence has inspired many facing similar conditions of chronic pain and surgery, illustrating the importance of endurance and the dire pursuit of one’s dreams.
Sources:
“Andy Murray.” ATP Tour. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andy-murray/mc10/overview.
Thompson, Grant. “Murray’s Full-Circle Challenger Journey: ‘A Really Big Step’ to Triumphant Comeback.” ATP Tour, August 1, 2024. https://www.atptour.com/en/news/andy-murray-challenger-flashback.
Cambers, Simon. “Andy Murray’s Legacy at Wimbledon, and in British Tennis.” ESPN, July 4, 2024. https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/40495795/2024-wimbledon-andy-murray-british-tennis.
“What Is Hip Resurfacing? The ‘Andy Murray Hip.’” White House Clinic, created November 7, 2023; last updated December 26, 2024. https://www.whitehouse-clinic.co.uk/articles-and-advice/what-is-hip-resurfacing-the-andy-murray-hip.
“Andy Murray in Tears: The 2019 Australian Open Could Be His Last Tournament.” Olympics.com. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/andy-murray-in-tears-the-2019-australian-open-could-be-his-last-tournament.
“Andy Murray Retires After History-Making Career.” ATP Tour, August 1, 2024. https://www.atptour.com/en/news/andy-murray-retirement-press-release.
