Andy Murray has promised to withdraw from the Australian Open if wife Kim goes into labor, even if that means leaving between the semifinal and final.
Murray is the second seed in the men's competition that begins Monday (or Sunday night, U.S. time). The competition runs through Jan. 31.
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The Murrays are expecting their first child in mid-February, so it likely he will be able to complete the year's first major international tennis competition.
Andy Murray (Getty Images)
Murray promised to return home if Kim goes into labor, regardless of his progression in the tournament. He reiterated his stance on Saturday.
"The same thing would happen. For me, my child and my wife are more important to me than a tennis match," he told media members in Melbourne.
"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."
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Murray, a four-time runner-up at the Australian Open, begins his Open against German teenager Alexander Zverev. He defeated Zverev at the Hopman Cup earlier this month.
"I know him reasonably well. I practiced with him a couple of years ago," Murray said of Zverev. "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."