A teary-eyed Andy Murray promised pregnant wife Kim he’d be on the next plane home after his turbulent two weeks at the Australian Open came to a crashing end.
Murray’s Melbourne Park campaign ended in familiar circumstances, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final for the fourth time.
The Scot played the Open on tenterhooks with their first child due next week, with his wife remaining in London.
The world No. 2 vowed all tournament he’d immediately leave Melbourne regardless of his standing if she went into labour.
Compounding his emotional fragility was the collapse of Kim’s father Nigel Sears, who was courtside as coach of Ana Ivanovic during his charge’s third-round match.
Sears was rushed to hospital in a serious condition before recovering to fly home.
“I feel like I’ve been here before,” Murray said as he accepted the runner-up’s silverware.
“It’s been a tough few weeks for me away from the court.” The former Wimbledon and US Open champion then choked up while thanking his wife – usually a permanent, and vocal, fixture in his box during the grand slam tournaments.
“My wife Kim, I’m sure she is going to watching at home. She’s been a legend over the last two weeks,” Murray said.
“So thanks for the support and I’ll be on the next flight home.”
Djokovic and his wife Jelena welcomed their first child, Stefan, in October and the classy world No.1 sent his best wishes to the Murrays in his victory speech.
“I would also like to wish you and Kim a very happy and healthy delivery of your baby,” said Djokovic.
“I hope that you will experience a feeling like no other before because that’s what happened to me and to my wife so I wish you all the best.”
While Djokovic claimed a record-equalling sixth title, Murray’s Australian Open final loss left him matching one of the game’s least wanted marks.
