Andy Murray insists 'I'll be back' after confirming he suffered a serious ankle injury during his Miami Open loss on Sunday.
The Brit is now in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon in July but there is no suggestion he has played his final match of professional tennis.
Murray has already revealed that he plans to retire this summer, with many believing either Wimbledon or the Olympics would be the perfect moment to bow out.
The three-time Grand Slam winner has battled injury problems in recent years and has struggled with form on the tour this season.
Andy Murray insists he will be back after suffering a major injury at the Miami Open
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Victories over Matteo Berrettini and Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Miami meant Murray had won two matches at a tournament for the first time in 2024.
He won the first set against Tomas Machac in the third round on Sunday but lost the next two, suffering the ankle injury late in the decider.
Murray has confirmed that he has ruptured ankle ligaments and will be out for 'an extended period'.
But he fully intends to compete again when he is fit and available.
The 36-year-old wrote on Instagram: "Yesterday towards the end of my match in Miami I suffered a full rupture of my ATFL and near full thickness rupture of my CFL.
"I will see an ankle specialist when I return home to determine next steps.
"Goes without saying this is a tough one to take and I’ll be out for an extended period.
"But I’ll be back with 1 hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right."
Murray will be aiming to be fit for Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.
He has also confirmed his desire to go to the Olympics later in the same month having already won two gold medals in his career.
Murray revealed his sadness at playing in Miami for the final time after his defeat on Sunday.
He said: "I wasn’t thinking about all the matches I played. Just more that that’s the last match that I am going to play here which is sad because I love it here.
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Andy Murray sustained the ankle injury during his Miami Open loss on Sunday
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"I’ve spent so much of my tennis career here and I would have liked it to have gone on a little bit longer.
"This tournament in particularly for me is an important one so it was a bit more emotional leaving the court today than it might be at some of the other events.
"I am looking forward to the end now, give my best the next few months and get to be at home with my family.
"Miami has been a special place for me during my career. It’s been my tennis home really.
Andy Murray was knocked out of the Miami Open by Tomas Machac
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"I’ve done so much of my work and training and preparation here. I love the city."
He was pleased with his performance in Miami, adding: "It’s been pretty positive, there were some good signs in my game, definitely an improvement on the last few tournaments, not perfect but considering everything to be winning matches against the players I did and pushing Thomas like I did today, I’m proud of myself because it’s extremely difficult to do what I’m doing with the issue that I have.
"To still be able to compete with these guys is a credit to myself and the work that I’ve done and the effort that I’ve put into this to keep myself in this position."
