Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori have both withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open due to injury.

Murray has struggled with a hip injury and spent a couple of days in Australia before pulling the plug on the first major of the season. ''Sadly I won't be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete,'' Murray said. ''I'll be flying home shortly to assess all the options but I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be back playing soon.'' The Brit stated on Instagram, “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.”

Meanwhile, Nishikori announced that he was not ready to compete in Melbourne, as well. “I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Aussie Open this year,” he said on his website. “The Aussie Open is my favourite Slam… it's my 'home' Slam. It's the Slam that takes incredible care of the players and their teams, and it hurts that I will have to miss it this year. My rehab is going well but I am just not ready 100 per cent to come back yet in best of five set matches.”

Play begins on January 15 from Melbourne.