Andy Murray has become a father after his wife Kim gave birth to a daughter, the couple's first child.

The tennis star had promised to fly home from the Australian Open if his wife went into labour during the tournament, and after losing in the final he said he would be on 'the first flight home' in an emotional message.

The Murrays' daughter was born on Sunday night, according to reports.

Speaking before his latest tournament, the world number two predicted that his life would have to change after he became a father.

'My child is more important to me, and my wife is more important to me, than a tennis match,' he said.

'It's a big change for me and my wife, but that's the current priority and I'll see after that.'

After being defeated by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, Mr Murray addressed Kim directly in a choked-up speech in front of the global TV audience.

He said: 'You've been a legend the last two weeks, thank you for all your support. I'll be on the next flight home

The family had a scare during a tournament when Mrs Murray's father Nigel Sears collapsed while watching Ana Ivanovic, the player he coaches, in her third-round match.

The 58-year-old was later cleared to fly back to the UK and Mr Murray said previously he would have pulled out of the tournament if there had been any doubts about his father-in-law's health.

The player has already announced his plan to skip two tournaments in February and take the whole month off.

His next match is likely to be in the Davis Cup, where Great Britain are taking on Japan in the tournament's first round starting on March 4.

He will then play in the French Open - the only Grand Slam tournament where he has never reached the final.