Andy Murray returns for Davis Cup tie with Japan

Eleanor Crooks 05:09 03/03/2016
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  • Back in the fold: Murray.

    Andy Murray was every inch the proud new father as he prepared to return to his day job and lead Great Britain in the defence of their Davis Cup trophy against Japan.

    The world No. 2 has left wife Kim and three-week-old daughter Sophia at home in Surrey for the first-round tie at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena, which begins on Friday.

    The 28-year-old’s last competitive appearance was a fifth Australian Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic, after which he ran out of Melbourne Park to catch the first flight home. Sophia arrived a week later, ensuring he could experience the full labour.

    Murray cited that as the biggest surprise of parenthood so far, saying: “It was very different to what I expected. It’s an amazing experience but it’s also difficult to see someone you care about go through that.”

    Luckily for Murray, he has not yet experienced one of the main trials of having a baby – sleep deprivation.

    He said: “She has been sleeping very well the first few weeks. Without getting particularly graphic, there’s nothing much I can do. She is waking up because she wants to be fed and unfortunately my body doesn’t produce any milk. In the night I would stay up with her as late as is needed while Kim was asleep.”

    Murray will hope becoming a father has the same effect on him as it has on Djokovic, who has been nigh on unbeatable since the birth of Stefan 16 months ago.

    He will get his first taste of how things will play out on Friday, when he takes on Japan No2 Taro Daniel – an American-born Led Zeppelin fan ranked 87th.

    Murray said: “I still practice hard and do all the same things I was doing before. I will find out if it is different on Friday or not. But it can only be a positive thing. I don’t see it being negative at all, in terms of my career. And it is not the end of the world if it is as I now have something more important.”

    Murray revealed he is planning to play in all Britain’s Davis Cup ties this year, including a potential quarter-final against Djokovic’s Serbia in July sandwiched in between Wimbledon and the Olympics.

    Captain Leon Smith will announce his team ahead of the draw today but has a potential injury problem to contend with after Kyle Edmund felt a niggle in his back.

    The 21-year-old, the highest-ranked singles player available to Smith besides Murray, brought an early end to his practice session but is confident of being fit.

    Edmund said: “Being a tennis player you get niggles now and again. Obviously it’s a concern this close to the match but I think I’ll be able to recover in time.”

    The tie could come down to a clash between the number ones on Sunday, when Murray will take on world No. 6 Kei Nishikori – the highest-ranked player he has ever faced in the competition.

    Nishikori, who has lost five of his six matches against Murray, is not taking much comfort from the Scot’s lay-off, saying: “He did great in Australia so it’s not like he hasn’t played for a long time, so it’s not going to change much.

    “(Britain) just won the Davis Cup and they have one of the best teams with Andy and his brother. It’s not going to be easy for us but we have a chance. It’s a great challenge.”

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