Parting can be painful.
A tearful Andy Murray announced he will retire from the pro circuit due to intense hip pain he's suffered since undergoing hip surgery in Melbourne last January.
Watch: Gutted Andy Murray Announces Retirement
The three-time Grand Slam champion is the only man to successfully defend the Olympic singles gold medal.
Murray played his most dynamic tennis representing Great Britain and said he hopes to officially close the curtain on his career at Wimbledon though the two-time Wimbledon champion conceded he may not last that long.
The candor and class Murray showed throughout his career was on display in his announcement to the media at the Australian Open.
"I'm not feeling good, I've been struggling for a long time," Murray said. "I've been in a lot of pain for about 20 months now. I've pretty much done everything I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn't helped loads.
"I'm in a better place than I was six months ago but I'm still in a lot of pain. I can still play to a level, but not a level I have played at."
Simply put, the 31-year-old Scott concedes he can't perform to the level he's accustomed and has no plans to stick around as a shadow of his former self.
Murray said he won't join older brother Jamie Murray and become a doubles specialist though he's an excellent doubles player.
Parting can be poignant.
The tennis world responded to Murray's announcement with a heart-felt outpouring of love, praise and respect for the former world No. 1.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve