Andy Murray has been the British hope at major tennis tournaments since Tim Henman put his racket away in 2007, so whenever the two-time Wimbledon champion is absent, it shows.
The 30-year-old was pretty upset then to be missing the 2018 Australian Open. Having not played a competitive tennis match since Wimbledon last year, he underwent hip surgery in Melbourne hoping to be ready for the grass-court season.
And the reality of the situation hit hardest on the morning of the first day of the tournament by the look of Murray’s Twitter account.
When you wake up day one of the @AustralianOpen and remember you aren’t in the draw 😢 pic.twitter.com/g6alBOjFrq
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 14, 2018
Murray has lost five Australian Open finals and obviously won’t have the chance to win a first major title Down Under this year, but at least people on Twitter were there for him.
This Twitter user sent a comforting gif.
— Julie Bertagna (@JulieBertagna) January 15, 2018
Others shared the three-time Grand Slam winner’s pain.
— Jan Moore (@Janny222) January 15, 2018
Meanwhile, motivation was the order of the day for these Twitter users.
Stay strong andy, wish you a speed recovery and ready to compete again at Roland Garros or wimbledon
— Beck (@becalicus) January 15, 2018
Just keep remembering that @RafaelNadal was in your position a year or two ago. You will come back because that is what winners do
— Gary Newell (@dailylinuxuser) January 15, 2018
And the US Open sent this message of encouragement. Will Murray be back to his best in time to attempt a second title at Flushing Meadows?
Sorry 😟 If it's any consolation, we know you'll definitely be in the draw for the US Open this year!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 14, 2018
His fans can’t support him on the court, but they’re doing their best on social media.