London (AFP)

Briton Andy Murray, former N.1 tennis player, will not compete in the next Australian Open due to a groin injury which "did not heal as quickly as we could have hoped" , the player and his agent Matt Gentry announced on Saturday.

Andy Murray, winner of three Grand Slam titles, contracted the Davis Cup injury in mid-November in Madrid.

"Unfortunately, this injury is more complicated than we thought and as a precaution, I must remedy it before returning to the courts," said Murray on Saturday.

"I have worked so hard to get back to my best level and I am so sad that I will not be able to play at the Australian Open in January," he added.

"After the 2019 Australian Open, where I didn't know if I could replay, I was thrilled to be back in Australia to give it my all. And this is even more disappointing for me," said the Briton.

In addition to his package in Melbourne (January 20-February 2), the 32-year-old Scotsman will also not be part of the British team during the first edition of the ATP Cup (January 3-January 12), still in Australia, just before the first lifting of the Grand Slam.

Murray had made a remarkable comeback on the ATP circuit in 2019, winning in October in Antwerp (Belgium) his first title since 2017, almost nine months after a second operation of the left hip which had led him to announce, in tears, in January 2019, his probable retirement from the courts.

On December 12, he had already canceled his two weeks of preparation in Miami (United States) for the 2020 season because of this same groin injury.

Andy Murray should not replay before February. Its first 2020 tournament is now scheduled in Montpellier (February 2-9).

This package will allow him to stay at home in order to continue to strengthen his muscles and find a form allowing him to become again the man who had imposed himself, in particular, at Wimbledon (2013, 2016) and at the US Open (2012 ).

Andy Murray, a five-time finalist at the Australian Open, the last time in 2016, also won two Olympic gold medals in singles and won the Davis Cup with Great Britain in 2015.

© 2019 AFP