Andy Murray Blames Media for Kim Sears' Australian Outburst at Tomas Berdych

Andy Murray has come to the defence of fiancee Kim Sears, insisting the media is partly to blame for her expletive-laden outburst during his Australian Open semi-final with Tomas Berdych.

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Sears was caught on camera uttering what appeared to be some colourful language in the direction of Murray’s Czech opponent, but the two-time Grand Slam winner claimed that when there’s such unrelenting focus on an event, tensions can run high, per Sky Sports:

"

I was told about that. When there's a lot of tension surrounding something, which you (media) created, then it's completely normal. ...

Even Tomas, who very rarely says anything on the court, there was tension there for him, as well. In the heat of the moment you can say stuff that you regret. And, yeah, that's it.

You (media) wanted there to be tension. Because of everything that's gone on it's kind of a natural thing to happen. So I kind of expected and had planned for that to be the case as well.

"

Here’s a look at the incident in question courtesy of ByTheMin Sport:

"

Kim Sears go and wash your mouth out. https://t.co/7kTM20SoWd

— ByTheMin Sport (@ByTheMinSport) January 29, 2015"

The tension in question stemmed not just from of the occasion, but the fact that Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu now works with Berdych. There certainly did seem to be a bit of needle between the two players, as scathing glances were exchanged at the conclusion of points and changeovers.

Berdych also seemed to mutter something in the direction of the Scot at the end of the first set, but he revealed afterwards that he was merely congratulating himself, per BBC Sport. Anyway, in a critical match in elite level sport, it would be strange if there wasn’t some kind of friction on show.

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The focus on that tension and Sears’ subsequent outburst has detracted from another glittering display from Murray. The British No. 1 battled from a set down to get the better of Berdych in an engrossing match to make it to his eighth Grand Slam final, and he will fancy his chances of clinching his third major on Sunday despite the hyperbole surrounding his fiancee.