A battling Andy Murray bowed out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle on Monday after four hours and nine minutes action.
The Scottish five-time Melbourne Park finalist gave it everything he had and showed glimpses of the form that won him three Grand Slams, but his ailing body let him down during a gutsy 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7) defeat to 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
ALSO READ: Venus Williams agrees settlement in fatal Florida car crash
Murray tearfully revealed before the tournament that he was in constant agony from a hip injury and planned to retire this year.
The 31-year-old hopes to end his career at Wimbledon, but has admitted the Australian Open could be his last event unless he has a late change of heart.
“Amazing. That was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone that came out tonight,” he said after being given a rapturous send-off.