Tuesday 9 February 2016 07:45, UK
Andy Murray's decision to take the whole of February off won't unduly affect his ranking, says Barry Cowan.
The world No 2 is missing the ATP events in Rotterdam and Dubai this month as he awaits the birth of his first child with wife Kim.
Murray was on the receiving end of a fourth Australian Open final defeat to world No 1 Novak Djokovic last month before announcing his intention of taking time out of the sport.
"It's very difficult to plan when your first child is going to be but it's probably the best planning for Andy because he has always struggled after the Australian Open, and understandably so," the Sky Sports tennis expert told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's not just three or four weeks down in Australia - it's also the five or six weeks before hand to prepare physically and mentally.
"Unfortunately, it hasn't gone his way in the decisive match - in the final - so you're bound to feel a little bit short emotionally and physically.
It's very difficult to plan when your first child is going to be but it's probably the best planning for Andy because he has always struggled after the Australian Open.
"He's been forced to miss Rotterdam where he hasn't always played his best tennis. We wish him well and we wish Kim well.
"Andy's next couple of matches will be the Davis Cup [for Great Britain at home to Japan]. But because he's been able to get so many points, it's not going to affect his ranking by not playing in February."
Watch the ATP ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam all this week on Sky Sports 3 HD - your home of tennis. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
