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Andy Murray: ‘Emotional toll’ affected my Open

Getty

Getty

Vanquished Scot Andy Murray admits an emotionally draining two weeks meant he started his Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic off the pace.

And that’s one place you can’t afford to be against the all-conquering world No.1.

Murray was distracted by the impending birth of his first child, with his wife Kim at home in London just days away from the due date.

His father-in-law, Nigel Sears, then collapsed while he was courtside coaching Ana Ivanovic in her third round match and was rushed to hospital.

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And then Murray stayed up in the wee hours the night before the final to watch his brother Jamie win the men’s doubles.

Murray said the off-court distractions had taken their toll.

“A lot’s been going on,” said the world No.2. “I started the last couple of matches quite slowly, I think, understandable in some respects.

“Obviously it’s not good to begin matches like that against someone like Novak.

“But I’m proud of the way I fought and managed to get myself back into the match and create chances for myself.”

Djokovic soaks up that winning feeling. Photo: Getty

Djokovic soaks up that winning feeling. Photo: Getty

Murray rued a missed opportunity in the second set when from 40-love up, he dropped serve for a fourth time after finishing on the wrong end of a gruelling 36-shot rally.

Despite setting a record in losing his fifth Australian Open final – Murray was proud to at least make the decider.

Meantime, Djokovic was putting no limits on what he could be capable of achieving.

The ruthless top seed once again imposed his mental and physical hold over Murray to emulate 1960s amateur champion Roy Emerson as a six-time winner of the season-opening grand slam.

The Serbian dominator also joined Laver and Borg with 11 career majors and now trails only Roger Federer (17), Rafael Nadal (14), Pete Sampras (14) and Emerson (12) in his relentless pursuit of grand slam immortality.

“I’m playing the tennis of my life and my results show that,” said the rampant world No.1.

“I don’t want to think how far I can go and what my boundaries are.

“I prepare myself as best I can for the three guys – Nadal, Federer and Murray … I’ve found the right formula for Andy.”

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