Former world No.1 Andy Murray made a surprise appearance at the O2 Arena on Saturday, where he had a practice session with Dominic Thiem.

Sidelined since Wimbledon with a hip injury, Murray, who is unable to defend his ATP Finals title next week, decided to make use of the presence of the world’s best players in London by heading east to the O2 for a hit with Thiem.

Murray, who was ranked No.1 in the world until mid-August but has since slipped to No.16, was accompanied by his coach Jamie Delgado and fitness trainer Matt Little.

The Scot is expected to make a return to the tour in Brisbane in January, assuming his hip fully recovers.

He told reports at his charity match in Glasgow a few days ago that he’s hitting the ball very well practice but “it’s just that there is a difference between that 75-80 per cent practice and going flat out at 100 per cent for two and a half or three hours on the match court. Until I do that I can’t say for certain, but I think I’ll be able to come back just fine.”