WATCH: Andy Murray hilariously reveals what his children get him to do on video calls
Andy Murray has given an insight into what his children miss about him when he is travelling for tournaments – and it seems small talk is not at the top of their wanted list.
Murray travels without his wife and four children as he extends his career into its final chapters, with the Scot recently confirming he will call time on his tennis journey at some point in 2024.
His months of hard work and often bitter defeats on the ATP Tour have led many observers to question why he the former world No 1 is prolonging his career.
Yet Murray banished those negative sentiments as he picked up his best win of the year so far with a straight-sets victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Miami Open.
Murray swept past the Argentinian, ranked 30 in the world, 7-6 (0) 6-3 in a rain-interrupted match to reach the third round.
So it was no surprise that Murray was in an upbeat mood when he spoke to the Tennis Channel after his win against Etcheverry, as he opened up on life away from his young family.
Video calls make separation from loved ones a little less painful, yet Murray suggested the younger members of his clan are not interested in small talk when he posts a video call to check in on them.
“It’s a bit different for me on Facetime as my eldest kids don’t want to talk to me,” he said with a smile in an entertaining interview.
“The youngest ones just want me to do animal and dinosaur faces. As soon as they see me on the phone, they just say Daddy do the funny faces.
“So I’m just scrolling through dinosaurs, lions, do all the noises, stick my tongue out… and when that is over the conversation ends.’
“It’s not easy when your kids don’t want to talk to you!”
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Murray also reflected on one of his best performances and wins in recent years, with his impressively powerful and consistent first serve combining with a fizzing double-handed backhand to get him through to the next round against an opponent who beat him with ease at the Australian Open in January.
“It was good,” he added. ” I had a really tough loss against Tomas at the Australian Open and I was quite flat in that match.
“I wanted to come out and at least, if I lose, have the right energy on court. Get involved with the crowd and create a good atmosphere.
“Today and yesterday, I served very well. I hit my spots when I needed to on my serve.
“The serve is crucial for me. When I was younger and maybe moving a bit better, I could still win the majority of points from the back and get myself out of trouble.
“Now the guys hit it so clean. They are huge ball strikers and you need to get your free points. The serve is huge for me on that.
“I used my backhand up the line well against guys who like to move across and hit their forehand, that is an important shot.
“It was tough out there, but I did well to get through.”
Murray will face Czech youngster Tomas Machac, who beat Russian world No 6 Andrey Rublev, in the next round.
A victory would see him win three matches at an ATP Tour level tournament for the first time since a run to the final in Doha in February 2023.
