Andy Murray opts for clean kit at the start of the new season

In seasons past, Murray has advertised the Royal Bank of Scotland and Highland Spring on his sleeves, yet those contracts have expired so he has unpicked the patches while his representatives at 19 Management renegotiate.

Though RBS has sponsored Murray since he was 14, and he has worn a Highland Spring patch for the past four years, it now seems certain that he will appear at the Australian Open, which starts on Jan 17, in a blank shirt.

Murray’s management company is talking to other companies about possibly sponsoring the world No 4, who was due to wear his ‘clean’ kit on Monday at the Hopman Cup exhibition in Perth.