Andy Murray was left bemused in an awkward interview exchange following his defeat to Marin Cilic at the Kooyong Classic on Wednesday.
The three-time major champion is putting in his final preparations for the Australian Open and was back on the court for an exhibition match against Cilic.
Murray ended up losing 6-3 7-5 to his close rival, who is looking to make a comeback in Australia after an injury-ravaged 2023 season.
Both are in the main draw for the Australian Open, which will be decided on Thursday at 2am GMT.
Andy Murray looked bemused after the question
SBS
Murray appeared in good spirits despite the loss to Cilic, although he was caught off guard during his post-match interview on court.
As the British tennis icon was about to make his way off the court, David Basheer quickly jumped in to ask him to go into the commentary box with Pat Cash.
Murray appeared surprised and smiled before replying: "I thought it was only the winner that had to do that?"
"You never know. We make the rules as we go along," Basheer replied.
"That was one of the advantages to losing, is not doing all the extra press stuff," Murray quipped back.
The 36-year-old honoured the request despite his faux outrage and sat in the commentary box for the start of Holger Rune's match against Karen Khachanov.
Former doubles world No 1 Paul McNamee joked in commentary that Murray was paying the "penalty for getting a knighthood".
"You have to do that stuff. Knight in shining armour, you do stuff when you lose," McNamee said.
"Noble. That's the word I was looking for. He was very noble in defeat."
Murray is scheduled to face Dominic Thiem next at the Kooyong Classic before his focus turns to the Australian Open.
Andy Murray was asked to step in the commentary box
SBS
The former world No 1 will be hoping to make it past the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time since reaching the final in 2016.
And despite losing his last two matches, Murray feels he is in a good place heading into the major.
“I feel like I’ve put in a really good off-season," he said.
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Andy Murray appeared to laugh off the situation
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"I think I played well last week in Brisbane and practice has been going really well.
"I played with a lot of top players and felt like I’ve been hitting the ball good.
“Marin played very well today in quite tricky conditions out there, quite blustery. He hit the ball extremely well today. But it’s been a good few days.”
