'Never seen that': Incredible moment leaves Andy Murray in tears in farewell

Andy Murray was visibly moved after the Australian Open crowd produced a ‘never-before-seen’ show of respect before his match was even over.

Murray was about to serve at the start of what could have been the final game of his storied career, when the Aussie crowd left him stunned.

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Despite the match being 5-1 in the fifth set and not over yet, the crowd didn’t want to wait until after the final point to show their appreciation for Murray.

The packed crowd on Hisense Arena rose as one and gave Murray a standing ovation, stopping the match for several minutes.

Murray appeared to tear up as he took in the remarkable scenes, raising his racquet in appreciation.

“I was emotional at that moment,” Murray said in his post-match press conference.

“It was cool. I don’t think I’ve had that before in any matches.

“I don’t know if when I came to serve at Wimbledon for Wimbledon, I don’t know if that happened. Look, it was brilliant.

“The atmosphere the whole match was amazing. I loved it.

“I’m really appreciative that the people gave me that atmosphere to play in.”

Fans took to social media in awe of the special moment.

Door open for one more Aus Open appearance?

After nearly pulling off one of the gutsiest comebacks of his career, Murray faces an agonising decision between surgery on a chronic hip injury or a farewell match at his beloved Wimbledon.

The five-time Australian Open finalist most likely played his last match at Melbourne Park – and perhaps ever – after going down 6-4 6-4 6-7 (7-5) 6-7 (7-4) 6-2 to 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday.

The 31-year-old Scot had the crowd on their feet as he mustered a rousing fightback from two sets down in an absorbing contest lasting over four-hours

Murray came close to confirming it was his last Australian Open, telling the Melbourne Arena audience he would “maybe” see them again.

He now faces a call that could end or extend his career.

“I have basically like two options. One is to take the next four-and-a-half months off, then build up, play Wimbledon,” Murray said.

“But having an operation like that, there’s absolutely no guarantees I’d be able to play again.

“That is the decision that I have to make. It will improve my quality of life, I’ll be in less pain doing normal things like walking around and putting your shoes on.”

Murray said he had left nothing on the court after nearly claiming a memorable victory from two sets down.

Video tributes for the three-time major winner from the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were played on the big screen after the match.

“If it was my last match, look, it was a brilliant way to finish,” Murray said.

“I literally gave everything that I had on the court, fought as best as I could. I’d be okay with that being my last match.”

Humbled by the outpouring of support from the Melbourne crowd, Murray said it would be up to others to judge his legacy.

“There’s matches here, for example, that I would love to play again, have another opportunity to do that,” he said.

“I don’t know what it will be, but I have tried my best.”

with AAP