Kim Sears sparks storm after ‘foul-mouthed rant’

Kim Sears cheers on Andy Murray at the Rod Lever Arena. Picture: Getty

But yesterday Kim Sears caused an internet storm by appearing to launch into a foul-mouthed tirade at the Scot’s opponent, Tomas Berdych, in the Australian Open semi-final.

Sears was caught on camera apparently swearing at the Czech player as tension grew during the first set in the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

She appeared to rant: “F****** have that, you Czech f****** f***.”

Murray, who is famed for his own fiery temperament on court, defended his fiancée, saying: “In the heat of the moment you can say stuff that you regret.” He added: “When there’s a lot of tension surrounding something, which you created, then it’s completely normal that, yeah, the whole first set everyone was tight – my physical trainer, physio, I’m sure for Dani [Dani Vallverdu, Berdych’s coach and formerly Murray’s coach] it was uncomfortable.

“Even Tomas, who very rarely says anything on the court, there was tension there for him, as well.”

The expletives were caught on camera and went viral online, creating a sensation on social media.

Opinion on Twitter was divided between those backing Sears for her feisty attitude while others criticised her lack of decorum.

Former British number one Anne Keothavong, who announced her retirement in 2013, retweeted the video and said: “Forget how big the diamond is; THIS is what true love is made of. F***ing hilarious!” The Vagenda Team, from an online feminist magazine, tweeted: “We won’t lie, we love a potty-mouthed woman, but this is next level.”

Radio presenter Georgie Bingham tweeted: “I think I like Kim Sears more now.” #pottymouth #dontdothisathomekids.” And Murray fan Rachel McGrath wrote: “Team Kim Sears forever, what a woman. First the pet portraits, now the incredible swearing. 10/10”.

And one fan tweeted: “I LOVE KIM SEARS SO MUCH”.

After beating Berdych in yesterday’s match, Murray will compete in his fourth Australian Open final this weekend.

Today’s last semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will determine which player Murray will compete against in the tense match.

Murray’s grandmother, Shirley Erskine, 80, spoke yesterday of her excitement for the Australian Open final on Sunday.

Speaking from her Dunblane home yesterday, Mrs Erskine said she and her husband Roy, 82, were “so proud” of their grandson.

She said: “We are so proud of Andy, we always are.

“He played very tactically, He wasn’t at his 100 per cent best in the first set but from the second set onwards, he had the match well under control.”

Speaking of Sunday’s match, she said: “We hope he wins, but it will be a nerve-wracking time. He seems a lot calmer than previously and well prepared.

“But whoever wins on Friday, whether it is Djokovic or Wawrinka, it is going to be a challenging match for Andy.

“He has a couple of days off to rest and prepare.”

Mrs Erskine added: “The support has been fantastic as always. I walked down into Dunblane village earlier and people were waving from all directions. Everyone looked so happy.

“I even spoke to a man who said he had listened to today’s match on the radio but he was going to home to re-watch it tonight.

“It was such a long, nervous sit, for myself and Roy, but I am so pleased he has made it to the final.”