'I now have a metal hip': Andy Murray undergoes hip resurfacing surgery following emotional Australian Open exit

Andy Murray has undergone hip resurfacing surgery in London after his first-round exit from the Australian Open was punctuated by the news of his impending retirement.

Murray dominated headlines ahead of the grand slam when he announced his intentions to retire after Wimbledon this year, admitting in an emotional pre-tournament press conference that he could no longer play at top level after enduring yeas of significant trauma to his hip.

After falling in the first-round to eventual quarter-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut in five-sets, many thought the Scot’s time down under had come to an end, but on Tuesday night hopes were raised after Murray shared news of his crucial surgery.

"I now have a metal hip," the 31-year-old Murray wrote in a post on Instagram following his surgery.

“I underwent a hip resurfacing surgery in London yesterday morning...feeling a bit battered and bruised just now but hopefully that will be the end of my hip pain.”

The three-time grand slam winner has struggled to regain form since undergoing a hip operation last January.

The two-time Wimbledon champion was debating having the procedure, which involves putting a metal plate into the joint, in a final bid to prolong his career.

In the lead-up to his operation, he was in constant dialogue with American doubles specialist Bob Bryan, who has just returned to the game following the same procedure last summer.

The operation does not guarantee the Scot will be able to make a comeback but will allow him to live a pain-free life.

Murray will now undergo more rehabilitation to see if he can play again.

- with AAP