By Chris Oddo | Saturday, January 16, 2016
With his wife Kim preparing to give birth to the couple’s first child in mid-February, Andy Murray tells reporters he’s prepared to skip out on the last days of the Australian Open if the need happens to arise. As of now, the dates of the arrival of Murray’s newborn and the Australian Open men's singles final (scheduled for February 1) don’t appear to be conflicting, but nonetheless, a part of the second-seed's mind is perpetually dedicated to the coming occasion.
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“Yeah, I think most days I think about [the birth of my child]. Just now it's a big change, you know, coming. It's very, very exciting. I'm sure everyone that's had their first child in here would have thought the same thing with just a few weeks to go,” Murray told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
He added: “I've never been in this position, so it's something new for me to deal with and handle, which is good. New experiences are always good, something to learn from. But, yeah, when I'm on the practice court and stuff, I'm very focused there. When I've been training, not distracted on that side of things. Just obviously after your practices and when you're away from the court, it's a bit different.”
As for how Murray would handle things if his wife went into labor prematurely, there’s no doubt in the Scot’s mind—he’s got his priorities. Here’s the actual question and answer from his transcript, via the tournament’s website.
Q. You're on record as saying if Kim goes into labor, you'll go straight home. What if that is between the semifinal and final?
ANDY MURRAY: The same thing would happen.
Q. Even if the tournament would be without a final then?
ANDY MURRAY: For me, my child is more important to me, and my wife is more important to me than a tennis match, yeah.
Murray, a four-time finalist in Melbourne, will open his season by facing Alexander Zverev in the first round. Murray defeated Zverev in straight sets a few weeks ago in Hopman Cup action.