Veteran British tennis star Andy Murray, who is on a comeback road after a long injury spell, has withdrawn from the upcoming ATP Dubai event. 

It is understood that the three-time Grand Slam champion has pulled out to be with his wife, Kim Sears, who has just given birth to their fourth child.

Father duties may keep Andy Murray out of action for some weeks

While it’s a welcome addition to the Murray brood, father duties as well as caring for his wife is expected to keep him out of action for some weeks, slowing down his plan to build back to peak form and fitness ahead of the grass-court season.

Weeks ahead of the Australian Open, the two-time Wimbledon champion came down with COVID-19 and had to eventually skip the year’s first Grand Slam after failing to reach a quarantine arrangement with the tournament organizers.

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He did make a comeback at the recent Rotterdam Open and reached the pre-quarters after beating Swede Robin Haase in his tournament opener.

However, Murray crashed out after losing his round-of-16 tie to eventual champion and Russian World Number 8 Andrey Rublev.

While the Scot’s career has recently taken a similar route as his ‘Big Four’ rival Roger Federer, who spent over a year out of action to recover from a second knee surgery, Murray also seems to be going the way of the Swiss when it comes to adding to his family.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion is a father to two sets of twins – two sons and two daughters.

Murray returned to Grand Slams at last year’s US Open

The 33-year-old Murray made his return to Grand Slam tennis at last year’s US Open. However, his campaign ended in the second round after he fell to a straight-set loss to rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime.

His enduring injury battles have spawned chatter around his future in the game. But the Scot has given no indication of bidding adieu to the game anytime soon.

At a tearful press conference during the 2019 Australian Open, the Scot revealed struggles with his hip even after undergoing major resurfacing surgery.

He played only doubles at 2019 Wimbledon as part of a decision not to rush back to singles action. However, with the pandemic putting paid to his home Slam last year, Murray is keen to return to the All-England lawns this year.

Read More: Andy Murray Reveals Why Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Are Tough to Beat