AFP, Montreal :
Andy Murray said he is feeling “happy and lucky” at becoming a father after he and wife Kim announced they will become parents for the first time.
The 28-year-old world number three and Olympic champion will be the latest member of the top 10 to be a dad when the couple’s first child is born, believed to be February next year.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are already well-versed in juggling the demands of family and tennis.
“I’m not thinking what the impact (of becoming a father) will have on my career,” said Murray, a former Wimbledon and US Open champion.
“We are both extremely excited, happy and we feel lucky. But this is also private news and stuff we want to keep close to our family and friends.”
Murray and longtime girlfriend Kim Sears, 27, married in April and since then his form on tour has been impressive with a 27-4 winning record.
In that time, he won his first ever titles on clay and reached the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, Murray said he was hoping for the chance to face world number one Djokovic in the closing stages of the Montreal Masters as tries to put his hardcourt game into gear ahead of the US Open which starts in three weeks’ time. “Players have competed this season with Novak (48-3 this season with six titles),” said Murray.
“He’s just been that little bit better. That’s why he’s number one in the world. “He’s won some close matches in the big events. He’s obviously the favourite here. He definitely deserves to be the best in the world, though guys have pushed him very close as well.
“It should be an interesting week. Hopefully I can play some good tennis and get the opportunity to play against him.”
The Scot is seeded to make the final in Montreal where Djokovic, who has not touched a racquet since beating Federer for his third Wimbledon title a month ago, should be waiting.
Murray, by contrast, helped Britain into the Davis Cup semi-finals the week after play concluded at the All England Club. He then made a stuttering start to the North American hardcourt swing as he lost his opening match in Washington last week.
But his exit at the hands of Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili was still encouraging for the world number three.
“I came very close and I had a chance to close it out when I served for it in the third set,” Murray said of his Washington setback.
“I feel OK, it just takes time to get used to the hardcourts.
“You need to get used to them again, My match was two and a half hours long, so that’s a positive in some ways.”
With Munich, Madrid and London Queen’s club titles to hand in 2015, Murray is not lacking in confidence.
But an Australian Open final and semis in Paris and Wimbledon have left him hungry to take a big step at a major once again.
“My consistency has been better this year than in 2014, my game has improved,” he said prior to a Montreal second-round start against one of two Spaniards-Feliciano Lopez or Tommy Robredo.
“I’ve played good tennis at most of big events this year. I’ve given myself opportunities in almost every event I’ve played.”
