Andy Murray will retire this year because of severe pain in his right hip, with next week's Australian Open potentially his last tournament as a professional.

The former world number one broke the news on Friday (January 11) at an emotional press conference in Melbourne.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDY MURRAY SAYING: "You know I spoke to my team and I told them that you know I can't, I can't keep doing this and that I needed to have like an end point because I was sort of playing with no idea when the pain was going to stop" Murray had surgery on the joint a year ago and has failed to recover his best form.

He visibly struggled in a practice match defeat to top seed Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park on Thursday (January 10).

Murray told reporters that the pain has made him reconsider his retirement plans.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDY MURRAY SAYING: "I said to my team, look I think I can kind of get through this to Wimbledon and that is where I'd like to...that that's where I would like to stop playing, but I'm also not certain I'm able to do that." The three-time Grand Slam champion said he was mulling another round of major hip surgery aimed at improving his "quality of life" rather than helping him return to the tour.

Murray said even basic things were difficult, like putting on his shoes and he was tired of talking about his hip in every conversation.

But he's not planning on backing out of the Australian Open.

He has been drawn to play 22nd-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round on Monday (January 14).