Anderson urges tearful Murray to 'keep fighting'

Cape Town - South Africa's Kevin Anderson has paid tribute to Andy Murray after the British star's emotional press conference ahead of the Australian Open - which could be his final tournament.

READ: Lloyd Harris joins Kevin Anderson in Australian Open draw

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner, has been battling a nagging hip injury for the better part of the last 18 months.

Besides his Grand Slam success, Murray also has two Olympic gold medals and 45 ATP Tour titles to his name.

Murray broke down at a press conference in Melbourne on Friday as he said the pain had become almost unbearable.

Speaking through tears, Murray added that he'd like to bow out at his 'home' Grand Slam, Wimbledon, in July, but ruefully admitted he may not make it that far.

Taking to Twitter moments after the press conference, Anderson, the fifth seed at the year's opening Grand Slam, wrote: My thoughts are with @andy_murrayand I really hope we continue to see you fighting on court so you can retire on your own terms. Get well soon... Tennis is better with you.

Murray will be remembered as the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years (in 2013), ending the nation's obsession with finding a champion to follow in the footsteps of Fred Perry.

Murray is due to play 22nd-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round at the Australian Open, while Anderson will open against France's Adrian Mannarino.

The tournament gets under way on Monday.

My thoughts are with @andy_murray and I really hope we continue to see you fighting on court so you can retire on your own terms. Get well soon... Tennis is better with you. pic.twitter.com/0z1401hKXe

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) January 11, 2019

"I spoke to my team and I told them I can't keep doing this. I needed to have an end point..."

-Andy Murray#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wLEplbKXOV

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2019