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Andy and Kim Murray on their wedding day

Father-to-be Murray ready to leave Australian Open at any time

Should wife Kim go into labour with their first child, Andy Murray will withdraw from the Australian Open regardless of timing.

ANDY MURRAY HAS promised to pull out of the Australian Open if wife Kim goes into labour, even if that means withdrawing between the semi-final and final.

The world number two and his partner are expecting their first child in February as Murray heads into the first major of 2016 at Melbourne Park.

Murray has previously promised to return home if Kim goes into labour, regardless of his progression in the tournament, and the Scot reiterated his stance in a media conference on Saturday.

When asked if he would still withdraw between the semi-final and final, Murray replied: “The same thing would happen. For me, my child and my wife are more important to me than a tennis match.

“I’ve never been in this position before so it’s something new for me to deal with and handle. It’s something to learn from but when I’m on the practice court I’m very focused.

“When I’ve been training it’s not distracted that side of things, when you’re away from the court it’s a bit different.”

Murray, a four-time runner-up at the Australian Open, begins his 2016 campaign against German teenager Alexander Zverev, the world number 83 whom the Scot comfortably defeated at the Hopman Cup earlier this month.

“I know him reasonably well, I practised with him a couple of years ago,” Murray said. “I’ve seen him play a few matches since then and getting to play him a couple of weeks ago was good.

“He’s a big guy for his age, which has benefits and at the age he’s at just now can cause a few issues as well until you fill out into your physique.

“He’s got a very good game, he serves well and for a big guy he moves pretty well. He’s obviously improving all the time, he finished last year well and made the semis in Stockholm and it’ll be a tough match.”

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