Andy Murray has now shared the one thing that has made his early Australian Open exit worthwhile.
The Scotsman took to Instagram earlier today to issue one of his first updates since hinting at retirement earlier this week.
But, what exactly is it that has given the 36-year-old some peace after his disappointing first-round exit? Let’s take a closer look…
Andy Murray outlines the best thing about his Australian Open exit
As someone who never really takes his social media too seriously, the world number 44 has maintained that trend today on Instagram.
His post was short and simple, but offered a brief and joyous glimpse into his life outside of tennis.
Adorned in a pointy witch’s hat and a red sequin vest, his caption read: ‘One of the huge advantages to losing in the first round of the @australianopen is getting to play Harry Potter dress up at 5.30am on a Sunday with my daughters. Dumbledad.’
There is absolutely every chance that the final word in his post could go viral, and stick around in the vocabulary of many other dads being forced to dress up by their daughters.
Andy Murray is winning at life
For those who have watched Murray’s Amazon Prime documentary, Resurfacing, detailing his hip surgery and subsequent recovery, there were some real moments of emotion as he questioned his ability to continue playing the game he loves.
He craved structure, and whether that be playing or rehabbing, without it he admitted to feeling lost.
Even his wife, Kim, detailed the pain he felt when his routine was thrown out of sync. It disrupted their everyday life, and even when he was at home there was little focus from him.
So, this heart-warming update from the two-time Wimbledon champion is a welcome one from fans, as the tennis star showcased his ability to cut loose after such a crushing defeat.
Murray was dumped out of the Australian Open by Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry in straight sets, 4-6, 2-6, 2-6.
But, as that documentary also detailed, it is a miracle he is playing the sport at all.
People have this image of Murray, as a relentless runner capable of pulling off the impossible, much to the crowd’s delight. Well, as a 36-year-old with a metal hip, I think those expectations might need tempering from the vocal masses.
He is no longer the spring chicken he once was, but if he is enjoying his tennis, who cares?
Let him find that balance between his time on and off the court, and if he does call time on his career this season, he will receive vast support from the tennis world. And rightly so for what he has achieved.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
