Andy Murray is seeing the positives after crashing out of the Australian Open early.
Murray suffered a heartbreaking straight sets defeat to Tomas Etcheverry in the first round in Melbourne.
It was only the second time that the five-time finalist has lost in the first round over the last 16 years.
He subsequently admitted that it could be the final time he plays the Australian Open and looked emotional as he left the Kia Arena.
However, it was not all bad for the 36-year-old who has settled back into dad life back home.
While the competitors at the Australian Open were booking their places in the quarter-final, Murray was playing Harry Potter dress up with his daughters.
Posting a picture on Instagram, he wrote: “One of the huge advantages to losing in the first round of the @australianopen is getting to play Harry Potter dress up at 5.30am on a Sunday with my daughters. Dumbledad.”
It was perhaps a welcome break from his recent struggles on the court as he heads towards the end of his career.
After his defeat in Australia, he said: “It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here. I think probably because of how the match went and everything. While you’re playing the match, you’re obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything.
“When you’re one point away from the end, you’re like, ‘I can’t believe this is over so quickly, and like this’.
It was perhaps a welcome break from his recent struggles on the court as he heads towards the end of his career.
After his defeat in Australia, he said: “It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here. I think probably because of how the match went and everything. While you’re playing the match, you’re obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything.
“When you’re one point away from the end, you’re like, ‘I can’t believe this is over so quickly, and like this’.
“In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling walking off the court. I wish I involved the crowd more. Just disappointed with the way I played and all of that stuff. (It’s a) tough, tough way to finish.”
Andy Murray admitted at the end of last season he was not enjoying tennis, and it is increasingly hard to see him finding the sort of performances and results that will bring the joy back.
This was his fourth defeat in a row dating back to October and he has lost seven of his last eight matches – the worst run of his career.
