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Andy Murray Right To Take Month Out

Andy Murray Right To Take Month Out

Andy Murray's decision to take the whole of February off will not unduly affect his ranking, according to Sky's tennis expert Barry Cowan.

The world No 2 is missing the ATP events in Rotterdam and Dubai this month as he awaits the birth of his first child with his wife Kim.

Murray was on the receiving end of a fourth Australian Open final defeat to world No 1 Novak Djokovic last month before announcing his intention of taking time out of the sport.

"It's very difficult to plan when your first child is going to be, but it's probably the best planning for Andy because he has always struggled after the Australian Open, and understandably so," said Cowan.

"It's not just three or four weeks down in Australia - it's also the five or six weeks beforehand to prepare physically and mentally.

"Unfortunately, it hasn't gone his way in the decisive match - in the final - so you're bound to feel a little bit short emotionally and physically.

"He's been forced to miss Rotterdam where he hasn't always played his best tennis. We wish him well and we wish Kim well.

"Andy's next couple of matches will be the Davis Cup [for Great Britain at home to Japan]. But because he's been able to get so many points, it's not going to affect his ranking by not playing in February."