Andy Murray all but ends 2017 season

NEW YORK – Andy Murray hasn’t officially ended his 2017 season.

But it appears almost certain we won’t see him again.

According to his Facebook post, the world No. 2 has turned the page on Beijing and Shanghai and – most likely – Vienna and Paris as well.

He joins Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori on the sidelines as the ATP Tour continues on to Asia and Europe this fall.

It would be interesting to know why the Brit hasn’t also officially announced his withdrawal from those last two events; there must be other factors involved.

Murray said he has consulted with a number of leading hip specialists over the last week.

“Along with my own team, we have decided that this is the best decision for my long-term future,” he write.

Murray has already committed to the 2018 season-opening event in Brisbane, Australia, as announced Wednesday by the tournament (and by Murray).

That’s just four months away.

Brisbane tough at the top

The Brisbane event already landed Rafael Nadal. So it will be very strong at the top of the entry list as it completes with Doha (which has three times the prize money) and the old Chennai tournament, which recently announced it was relocating to Pune, India.

Roger Federer already has committed to playing the Hopman Cup again to start 2018.

It sure worked out well for him this year.

Murray will still play an exhibition with Federer in Glasgow Nov. 7 for charity, benefiting UNICEF UK and Sunny-sid3up.

It will be the first-ever trip to Scotland for Federer and people are likely to get quite excited in Murray’s homeland. That’s something he’s clearly willing to accept in the name of a good cause. 🙂