Relief for Andy as Kim’s father is set to go home
ANDY murray’s father-in-law is set to leave hospital and fly back to the UK after collapsing at a tennis match during the Australian open.
the Dunblane-born star was pictured looking pensive as he paced up and down the pavement while making a call on his mobile outside the hospital where Nigel Sears was being treated following his collapse.
It emerged yesterday that 58-year-old mr Sears, who was stretchered out of the rod Laver Arena in melbourne during a match on Saturday, is almost ready to return home.
Father-to-be murray, 28, playing on a neighbouring court, was initially unaware of what had happened. He was told after his match by mother Judy and went straight to the hospital.
mr Sears is one of the UK’s leading coaches. He had been courtside for his player Ana Ivanovic’s third-round match when he took ill.
He stayed in epworth Hospital in melbourne on Saturday night while he underwent tests. the cause of his collapse is yet to be disclosed, but he was expected to be released last night.
In a statement, mr Sears said: ‘my medical advice is that I will be allowed to leave the hospital shortly and I have been cleared to fly back to the UK in the next day or so. I just want to express my sincerest thanks to the incredible people who came to my aid, as well as the brilliant staff both at the Australian open and the epworth Hospital.
‘I feel truly grateful to everyone involved. While I appreciate the media interest in this story, I would prefer not to comment any further.’
Australian open tournament director Craig tiley said: ‘We wish Nigel well and hope to see him back on the court soon.’
murray’s wife Kim has remained in the UK as she is expecting their first child, due next month. Ahead of the tournament, he said that if she went into labour during the event he would drop out and return home for the birth.