Andy Murray has confirmed that he is set to miss the rest of the season through injury.
The current world number two has not played since before the US Open, which he was forced to withdraw from on the eve of the tournament in New York due to his ongoing hip problem.
The Scottish star has confirmed that he will now rest until 2018 and will not be undergoing surgery.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in the upcoming events in Beijing and Shanghai, and most likely, the final two events to finish the season in Vienna and Paris due to my hip injury which has been bothering me the last few months,” he said.
“Having 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.
“Although this has been a frustrating year on court for many reasons, I’m confident after this extended period of rest and rehabilitation that I will be able to reach my best level again and be competing for grand slam titles next season.”
Bookmakers are backing Murray to recover from his latest injury setback and claim a fourth Grand Slam.
PaddyPower make him odds-on at 8/11 to claim another slam and 5/4 to become world number one again.
“I know there’s a lot of worried fans regarding his injury, but I think Murray’s mint – and make him odds on to come back and win a Major,” said PaddyPower spokesman Lee Price.