Andy Murray has endured a frustrating start to his season, losing in the first round of the Melbourne Summer Set to world No.76 Facundo Bagnis.
The former world No.1 and three-time major winner was far from his best, struggling on serve in an error-strewn 6-3 5-7 6-3 loss to the Argentinian.
Murray needed a wildcard into the Australian Open, three years after indicating his appearance in Melbourne was likely to be his last due to impending hip surgery.
The five-times Melbourne Park finalist has arrived back in Australia healthy and hopeful of a competitive showing, following a win over emerging world No.10 Jannik Sinner in November.
Murray also reached the final of an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi in December, where he was beaten by Andrey Rublev, and took current world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas to five sets in last year's US Open.
That form alluded him on Tuesday, though, the Scot slamming his racquet in frustration midway through the deciding set.
Murray, now ranked No.134 in the world, tearfully admitted the 2019 Australian Open may be his last tournament before an ill-timed bout of COVID-19 forced him into a late withdrawal last year.
But, at 34, the Brit is back for an unlikely 14th shot at the title.
