Andy Murray ready to quit Australian Open for birth of first child

Andy Murray is prepared to leave the Australian Open early if necessary to attend the birth of his first child.

The world number two, who has been a losing finalist on four occasions in Melbourne, revealed he will withdraw from the tournament if his wife Kim goes into premature labour.

The Australian Open runs from January 18-31 with Murray’s first child due in February.

“I’d go home. For sure, yes,” Murray told the Daily Mail.

“It’s obviously important. I want to make sure at the beginning I am there as much as I can be to try and help out, just be there for whatever is really required of me.”

Murray, who recently led Great Britain to Davis Cup glory, also explained that the decision to complete his pre-season training camp in Dubai was motivated by better transport links back to the UK.

“I was either going to go to Dubai or Miami but because obviously Kim is quite heavily pregnant it’s a lot easier to get back from here,” he added. “All the flights leave in the evening from Miami, whereas here you can fly at all times in the day.”

The British number one will be back on home shores for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Belfast on Sunday.