Andy Murray celebrates becoming a father after wife Kim gives birth to a baby daughter

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.

Parents: Andy and Kim Murray have had a baby daughter, the couple's first child

Homecoming: The star was last seen in public at Heathrow last Monday after touching down following his flight from Australia after the Grand Slam tournament

The baby girl, whose name has not yet been revealed, is the youngest member of Britain's foremost tennis family.

Mr Murray's brother Jamie won the Australian Open doubles championship last month, while his mother Judy is a successful coach who captains the British women's tennis team.

The new parents, both 28, have been together since they were teenagers, and they married last April in Mr Murray's hometown of Dunblane before announcing the pregnancy in the summer.

Among the hundreds of fans congratulating the couple today was Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who wrote on Twitter: 'Lovely news. Congratulations to @andy_murray and Kim on the birth of their daughter. Wishing every happiness. Congratulations to the (very glam) grandma @judmoo [Judy Murray] too!'

Presenter Gabby Logan added: 'Kim and Andy Murray have had a baby girl - huge congrats @judmoo - great news for Fed Cup team 2036...' 

Angus Robertson, the SNP's leader in Westminster, tweeted: 'Congratulations to Andy Murray and Kim Sears on the birth of their daughter.'

Spectator: Kim Murray is known for reacting passionately whenever she watches her husband play

Emotional: The tennis star sent a message to his wife during a teary speech after losing the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic

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.'

Congratulations: Politicians and celebrities led the chorus of fans sending good wishes to the couple

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.

Wedding: The couple got married at Dunblane Cathedral in Mr Murray's hometown last April

Family: Mr Murray's brother Jamie and mother Judy are also high-profile figures in the tennis world

Judy Murray recently spoke of her excitement at become a grandmother - but promised not to get involved in teaching the new arrival tennis, saying she had had enough of coaching her family.

'When it happens I shall be an active granny,' she told Hello! this week. 'My mum Shirley was very involved with Jamie and Andy when they were growing up and I hope to be the same with my grandchild.

'I'm actually looking forward to cutting back on my work and spending more time with my parents, and yes, the new baby.'

After news of the baby girl's birth broke, bookmakers established Freya, Alexandra and Elizabeth as favourites for the name of the youngest Murray, while it is odds-on that her middle name will be Judy after her grandmother.

STORY OF A TEENAGE ROMANCE: TIMELINE OF MURRAYS' RELATIONSHIP

Romance: The couple pictured embracing after a match last summer

2005 - Andy Murray and Kim Sears meet as teenagers through tennis circles, reportedly at a party for the US Open. Ms Sears's father Nigel is a coach and former head of women's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association.

February 19, 2006 - The couple's romance comes into the open when he celebrates winning his first ATP Tour title at the SAP Open in San Jose in the US by running into the stand to a grinning Miss Sears, hugging and kissing her several times.

November 2009 - The couple split up briefly but reunite within months.

August 5, 2012 - Murray wins an Olympic gold medal, beating Roger Federer in straight sets. After winning, he climbs into the players' box to embrace his family and Miss Sears.

July 7, 2013 - Miss Sears cheers on Murray as he secures victory at Wimbledon.

October 17, 2013 - The couple are joined by Murray's parents Judy and William as he is awarded an OBE for services to tennis by Prince William at Buckingham Palace.

January 2014 - Murray announces on Twitter that he will be getting married just after Wimbledon but soon reveals that he was joking.

November 26, 2014 - Murray's spokesman announces that the couple are engaged.

April 11, 2015 - Hundreds of people line the streets of Dunblane to cheer the couple as they get married in Murray's hometown followed by a reception at his Cromlix hotel.

August 2015 - The couple announce they are expecting their first child.

November 29, 2015 - Mrs Murray travels to Ghent to watch her husband lead Great Britain to a historic Davis Cup win.

January 2016 - Murray travels to the Australian Open while his wife rests at home preparing to give birth. The tennis star says he will pull out of the tournament if she goes into labour, but with no news he makes it to the final where he is defeated by Novak Djokovic.

February 9, 2016 - It is revealed that Mrs Murray has given birth to a baby girl.