What next for Andy Murray and Johanna Konta after hip heartbreak?

Andy Murray confirmed on Thursday that he will not enter the Australian Open due to his ongoing hip problems.

But this latest injury blow for Murray will only increase fears that his time at the top of the game has come to an end.

Just days ago, the Scot voiced doubts that he will ever be able to get back to the top of the world rankings, saying:

However, if Murray undergoes major invasive hip surgery at the age of 30 then the worst case scenario could see him struggle to even get back to a level where he's capable of challenging for major honours.

It’s a thought that clearly worries Murray, who released a heartfelt statement earlier this week after pulling out of the Brisbane International, saying:

In contrast to Murray, Jo Konta has age on her side, but Thursday’s injury setback in Brisbane has come at a terrible time for the British No. 1.

The 26-year-old appeared to be back close to her best at the start of the new season, beating Madison Keys in the first round of the Brisbane International and recovering from a slow start to brush aside Ajla Tomljanovic to reach the quarter-finals.

But a hip injury in the deciding set of her last-eight clash with Elina Svitolina forced Konta to pull out of the tournament – a worrying sign with potentially just minutes remaining in the match.

Konta said after the match that she is aiming to be fit to play in Sydney next week.

However, hip injuries are rarely straightforward and it would be an impressive recovery if Konta was at peak physical fitness in time for the opening round in Melbourne in a fortnight’s time.

Picking up an injury at this point in the calendar will be particularly frustrating for Konta given how suited she is to Melbourne’s hard courts.

The Sydney-born Brit reached the semi-finals in 2016 and quarter-finals in 2017 and, with the women’s game in limbo as Serena Williams recovers from the birth of her daughter, this tournament would have been one for Konta to really target as she seeks a first Grand Slam title.