Video: Former US Open and Wimbledon Champion Breaks Down Announcing Shocking Retirement

Tennis star Andy Murray broke down as he announced his retirement in a press conference on Friday morning (Thursday night ET) in Mlebourne, Australia

Speaking to reporters, the Briton revealed he planned to step away from the game after this year's Wimbledon tournament, which is scheduled to begin on July 1.

Read more: Andy Murray sobs uncontrollably after three-set marathon ends at 3am

"I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months," the three-time Grand Slam winner said.

"I want to get to Wimbledon and stop but I'm not certain I can do that."

The former world Number 1, who turns 32 in May, has been beset by a persistent hip injury for over a year. A year ago, Murray agreed to undergo surgery on his right hip but the he conceded the procedure had not alleviated the issue and the joint was now causing him pain even when he was not on the court.

"I'm not feeling good, I've been struggling for a long time," the Briton said during his press conference, which was briefly interrupted as he left the room to compose himself before returning to answer more questions.

"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."

Murray is scheduled to play Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday and he admitted the match could be his last.

"There's a chance of that, for sure," he said, when asked whether the Australian Open could be the final tournament of his career.

"I am not sure I am able to play through the pain for another four or five months."

Shortly after Murray's announcement, the tennis world took to Twitter to celebrate his career.

The two-time Olympic champion explained he could undergo surgery again to ensure a pain-free life, although that would entail ending his career.

"I have an option to have another operation, which is a little bit more severe than what I have had before," he said. "Having my hip resurfaced will allow me to have a better quality of life, be out of pain.

"That is something I'm seriously considering right now. Some athletes have had that and gone back to competing. But there are obviously no guarantees with that, and it is not something […] the reason for having an operation is not to return to professional sport, it's just for a better quality of life."

Murray won his first Grand Slam tournament in 2012, when he triumphed at the U.S. Open a few months after becoming Olympic champion in London. A year later, he triumphed at Wimbledon, becoming the first British player since Fred Perry to win the men's single tournament since 1936.

In 2016, Murray,who has spent 37 weeks as world's No1, won Wimbledon again and defended successfully defended his Olympic title.