Andy Murray rushes to hospital after his father-in-law is stretchered out of Australian Open 

Andy Murray interrupted his highly regimented tournament schedule to visit father-in-law Nigel Sears in hospital in Melbourne after his collapse at the Australian Open

Andy Murray interrupted his highly regimented tournament schedule to visit father-in-law Nigel Sears in hospital after his collapse at the Australian Open.

The British number one was seen looking pensive as he paced up and down the pavement outside Melbourne's Epworth Hospital just 24 hours before his fourth round match against Bernard Tomic.

Flanked by a friend, the 2013 Wimbledon champion made a phone call presumably sharing news of the 58-year-old's condition following his morning dash on Sunday.

Sears is expected to be released from hospital later on today, the Australian Open has confirmed.

He was in the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday evening for Ana Ivanovic's third-round match against American Madison Keys when he collapsed and had to be carried away on a stretcher.

He is Ivanovic's coach. 

The 58-year-old remained in Epworth Hospital in Melbourne on Saturday night while he underwent a series of tests but is expected to be released later on today. 

'My medical advice is that I will be allowed to leave the hospital shortly and I have been cleared to fly back to the UK in the next day or so,' Sears confirmed in a statement released by tournament bosses.

'I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks to the incredible people who came to my aid, as well as the brilliant staff both at the Australian Open and the Epworth Hospital.

'I feel truly grateful to everyone involved for the manner in which this has been handled.

The world number two was seen looking pensive as he paced up and down the pavement outside Melbourne's Epworth Hospital 24 hours before his fourth round match against Bernard Tomic.

Nigel Sears is expected to be released from hospital on Sunday, the Australian Open has confirmed. The 58-year-old was in the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday when he collapsed 'in a pool of blood' and had to be carried away on a stretcher (pictured)

Sears poses with daughter Kim (left), Murray (centre) and the Wimbledon trophy after Andy's triumph in 2013 

'While I appreciate the level of media interest in this story I would prefer not to comment any further, thanks.'

Andy Murray rushed to visit Sears in hospital on Saturday night following his four-set victory over Portugal's Joao Sousa, during which he was apparently unaware of the incident.

His customary on-court interview was cancelled and it was also announced he would not be giving a post-match press conference.

Play was suspended while Sears was given medical assistance by paramedics in the stands of the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne

Sears is carried away on a stretcher by medical personnel as spectators in the Rod Laver Arena anxiously look on 

Sears' daughter and Murray's wife Kim has remained in the UK during the Australian Open as she is expecting her first child, which is due in February.

The match between Ivanovic and Keys was suspended for 50 minutes while Sears was taken to hospital, where it is understood he saw a cardiologist.

Speaking on Saturday night, Jamie Murray said Sears was 'conscious, talking and sitting up'.

Chair umpire Felix Torralba explains the situation to Ivanovic (left) and Keys (right) as the match is suspended

Ivanovic wears a worried expression as paramedics treat her coach Sears in the stands on Rod Laver Arena

Andy Murray, Sears' son-in-law, was on a neighbouring court playing Joao Sousa at the time of the incident and remained unaware

After collapsing, Sears received swift medical assistance and was soon carried away on a stretcher with his shirt off but conscious.

Ivanovic and Keys waited on court for around 10 minutes before they were informed play was suspended and both left the arena.

After a 50-minute delay, the players re-emerged and the match was resumed with Keys trailing 6-4 1-0. Keys went on to win the match 4-6 6-4 6-4.

Sears (right), father of Kim (second right) and father-in-law to Andy Murray, collapsed while returning from the courtside players' lounge

Sears pictured courtside with daughter Kim at Flushing Meadows in New York during the 2011 US Open

It is the second time in three days Ivanovic has had her match stopped for a medical incident.

The world number 23's second round match against Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday was delayed by more than 25 minutes when a spectator fell down a set of stairs.

This is Sears' second spell with Ivanovic after he initially started with the Serb in 2011 and was reappointed as her coach in July last year.

Sears, a well-respected trainer in the UK, has also worked with Daniela Hantuchova and was captain of Britain's Fed Cup team from 2006.