ONCE MURR Judy Murray praises son Andy for ‘changing face of Scottish tennis’ ahead of final appearance at Paris Olympics

shinaJuly 24, 2024

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The former Wimbledon champion will step back onto the court for one last competitive outing in Paris

Jennifer Jones, News Reporter

Published: 20:22, 23 Jul 2024Updated: 21:24, 23 Jul 2024

JUDY Murray last night heaped praise on son Andy for “changing the face of Scottish tennis”as he announced his decision to end his career on a high.

Murray, 37, confirmed tonight he would retire after the Olympics, saying Paris 2024 would be his “last ever tennis tournament” and he was “extremely proud” to put on the Team GB jersey one last time next week.

Andy Murray’s mother, Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray has heaped praise on her son for changing the face of Scottish Tennis

Andy Murray’s mother, Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray has heaped praise on her son for changing the face of Scottish TennisCredit: Andrew Barr

Andy Murray announced he will retire from tennis after the Olympics this year

Andy Murray announced he will retire from tennis after the Olympics this yearCredit: Getty

Andy Murray’s gold post box in Dunblane is a tourism attraction

Andy Murray’s gold post box in Dunblane is a tourism attractionCredit: Michael Schofield – The Sun Glasgow

Dunblane locals like Hazel Robertson say they are so proud of Sir Andy

Dunblane locals like Hazel Robertson say they are so proud of Sir AndyCredit: Tom Farmer

Local Butcher Graham Fleming said his legacy has been wonderful for the townCredit: Tom Farmer

It had been widely expected the three-time grand slam champion, who is the only man to have won two Olympic tennis singles gold medals, would bring an end to his tennis journey at this year’s Games in France.

It comes after he heartbreakingly withdrew from the Wimbledon singles champions earlier this month after failing to recover from a spinal cyst operation in time for his match.

It ruled him out of the singles but he was able to play the doubles with his brother Jamie, but lost in the first round in a Centre Court farewell.

Tonight, proud mum Judy, 64, said: “When I started as a volunteer coach at Dunblane Tennis Club in 1989 when Jamie and Andy were toddlers, I never imagined I would one day become Scotland’s national coach or Britain’s women’s team captain.

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“It changed the face of Scottish tennis and I hope it inspires lots of Scottish youngsters to follow their dreams and believe that anything’s possible if you work hard and smart.”

Judy this week welcomed a £5 million funding boost to build an elite tennis centre to seal a lasting legacy for Andy near his hometown.

Andy Murray to retire after Olympics

She hopes the centre can “help to encourage more people to get more active more often and to inspire the next generation of players and coaches.”

Meanwhile locals in Dunblane today backed his decision to step down after the Olympics – thanking him for making their home a global beacon of the sport.

The tennis titan is Dunblane’s most famous son who went from local club to the world’s number one over his 19-year career.

A golden postbox and a wooden bench honour the first of Murray’s two historic Olympic triumphs and take pride of place in the town’s High Street.

Butchers David Bennett and Sons looks onto the town’s shrine for the Tennis legend which is still popular with tourists 12 years since it was placed there as a legacy to Team GB’s success at London 2012.

Owner Graham Fleming, 59, said: “We get a lot of people who still visit to take photographs at the Gold Post Box.

“I think it’s great people travel to see it, it’s a positive focus for the town.”

Where it all began

by Davie Donaldson

A TENNIS coach at the club where Andy Murray first picked up a racket before going on to being world-beaters says the sporting hero has “exceeded all expectations”.Sandy Fleming helps train youngsters at Dunblane Sports Clubs, and while he is “not surprised” at the news of Andy’s retirement, he thinks it’s a good time to “reflect on the career he’s had and how proud he’s made us here at Dunblane.”Sandy said: “He was a name that everybody knew around Dunblane because Judy had been a tennis player, but as he was playing as a junior here there was more and more talk of Andy and what he did – and Jamie as well.“But when he went off to Spain you kind of hoped that he would do well and wow, he’s exceeded all expectations.”Looking back on Andy’s stellar career, he added: “It is amazing, from a little boy in a country that is not famed for his tennis to have that level of desire, fight and I would say that’s kind of his biggest trait, the way that he fights and works so hard.“It is unbelievable what he’s achieved, I would never have guessed that at the very start when that kind of skinny little boy turned up at Wimbledon with his clothes too big, and now we’re celebrating somebody who’s won Wimbledon twice, he’s won the US Open, he’s made all these finals, he’s a double Olympian, maybe a triple Olympian, who knows.But all those accolades didn’t make Andy a “Mr Big Time”, according to Sandy – and instead he remained an “everyday, normal person.”He said: “He came to one of our summer camps and he hit balls with every single child here so that they could have that moment where they could say, I’ve hit with Andy Murray.”And asked if he reckons Andy will go on and claim a third gold for one final hurrah, he added: “Well if anyone can, Andy Murray can.”

Murray was a pupil of eight at Dunblane Primary when 16 P1 kids and teacher Gwen Mayor, 45, were killed by gun fiend Thomas Hamilton in 1996.

Sir Andy and doubles hero brother Jamie’s on-court success has helped the Perthshire town not just be solely known for the terrible school slaughter.

Graham added: “Where the town was known for the negativity from before, Andy’s legacy has given a positive focus and a sense of pride and it’s still ongoing, which is great.”

Murray is still a regular visitor to the town where he took over the luxury Cromlix Hotel.

His beloved grandparents Roy, 93, and Shirley Erskine, 90, and dad William, 69, live there.

Cafe worker Liz McMullan, 58, said she has been serving the extended Murray family cakes and coffees almost weekly for 18 years.

Cafe worker Liz McMullan has served the Murray family for nearly 20 yearsCredit: Tom Farmer

She told the Scottish Sun: “Judy loves coming here for her coffee and cakes to take back for her mum and her dad.

“Andy’s legacy is a lovely thing to have because people know to come to Dunblane because of him, it’s a beautiful place and they’re just a lovely family.

“The amount of kids now want to play tennis because of him and his brother.

“It gets the kids outside and gets them focused so that one day they might end up being like Andy Murray themselves.”

10 standout matches from his career

2008, Wimbledon, fourth round – beat Richard Gasquet 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 6-4The match that established Murray’s reputation for never giving up.The 21-year-old was two sets and a break down before recovering to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time.The backhand down the line during the third-set tie-break that left him almost in the crowd is arguably his most memorable shot.2012, Olympic Games, gold medal match – beat Roger Federer 6-2 6-1 6-4Four weeks after his heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Federer, Murray played arguably the greatest match of his career to claim his first global title.Admittedly he was facing a tired Federer but this was complete domination in front of a raucous and disbelieving Centre Court crowd.2012, US Open, final – beat Novak Djokovic 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2In his fifth final, Murray finally won a grand slam title in fittingly dramatic fashion. It looked like he might have blown his chance when Djokovic fought back from two sets down to level but the Scot was not to be denied.2013, Australian Open, semi-final – beat Federer 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 6-7 (2/7) 6-2Going for a second successive slam title, Murray secured his only slam victory over Federer. Although it took five sets, the Swiss was hanging on to Murray with his fingernails for most of the match and was helpless in the fifth set.2013, Wimbledon, final – beat Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4The most important match of Murray’s career was a fitting way for the Scot to end Fred Perry’s 77-year reign as the last home men’s singles winner. Superb throughout, the final game was a match in itself before Murray at last got his hands on the golden trophy.2015, Davis Cup, final – beat David Goffin 6-3 7-5 6-3Of all Murray’s many wonderful achievements, winning the Davis Cup for Great Britain virtually single-handed in 2015 might well be the best of them. It was fitting he should win the final point against Belgium in Ghent, sealed with a stunning lob.2016, French Open, semi-final – beat Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2

The match that showed Murray had conquered clay as he knocked out the defending champion to reach his only final at Roland Garros.2016, Wimbledon, final – beat Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2)For the first time in his 11 slam finals, Murray found someone other than Federer or Djokovic on the other side of the net. From the start, he stamped his authority on first-time finalist Raonic and did not let up.2016, Olympic Games, gold medal match – beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5This gruelling, emotional victory in Rio gave Murray something none of his illustrious rivals have managed as he became the first tennis player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title.2023, Australian Open, second round – beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6 6-7 (7) 7-6 (5) 6-3 7-5Three years spent largely sidelined through hip problems did not dent Murray’s belief that he could contend for the big tournaments.This was only a second-round match but it summed up everything that made the Scot great as he played the longest match of his career, five hours and 45 minutes, finishing at past 4am and battling back from a seemingly hopeless position

And shop manager Hazel Robertson, 51, described the Scot as a “feminist icon” over his upfront views on equality and the women’s game.

She said: “He’s worked really hard, he kept battling on and kept coming back when people said he wouldn’t.

“He’s always speaking up for women which is what I love about him as well.

“I know he probably doesn’t want to retire because he loves what he does – but I wish I could retire at his age!”

Elsewhere, First Minister John Swinney led public tributes to Andy, heaping praise on his “profound impact” on the sport.

He wrote on X: “Our greatest ever sportsman. Heartfelt thanks to Andy Murray for an outstanding and inspiring career which has made a profound impact on so many.”

And outgoing Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “As Andy Murray prepares to retire from tennis, he does so as one of the most successful players of all time and with a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

“Looking forward to seeing him play one last time at #Paris2024”

Meanwhile Paula Radcliffe says Andy Murray calling time on his stellar career at the Olympics is “extremely fitting”.

She said: “Andy has really epitomised it more than most, he really loves what he is doing and has pushed the boundaries of his physical limits as far as he could.

“He has earned the right to finish his competitive career where he wants to do that and it is extremely fitting that he does so at the Olympics because those Olympics in 2012 really were a huge, huge turning point for him.

“He is one of those tennis players who has backed the Olympics the whole way.”

And Olympic great Matthew Pinsent wrote on X: “Still love those that used to say he would never cut it at top level. all of that plus a stellar Team GB career. Chapeau.”

Murray – who last week was spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre at the Sani Resort in Greece – first represented Team GB at the Beijing Games in 2008 but it was his gold medal performance at London 2012 which took his career to the next level.

He won his first grand slam at the US Open a month later and then became the first British Wimbledon champion in 77 years the following year.

High and Lows of Sir Andy Murray’s career

Highs

Summer of 2012

Only a month after his tearful fourth grand slam final loss to Roger Federer at Wimbledon, Murray gained redemption in spectacular fashion by emphatically defeating the Swiss to claim Olympic gold on Centre Court.

He followed it up at the US Open by ending the long wait for a British male grand slam singles champion with a dramatic five-set victory over Novak Djokovic.First Wimbledon

The victory that will always be top of the pile came on a glorious summer’s day at SW19.

Murray faced Djokovic again in front of an expectant crowd on Centre Court and rode the wave to finally consign Fred Perry to history, surviving a nerve-jangling final game.

Davis Cup gloryWimbledon was Murray’s crowning individual glory but arguably his most extraordinary accomplishment was winning the Davis Cup for Britain almost single-handed.His brother Jamie and James Ward chipped in but Murray won an unprecedented 11 out of 12 rubbers across four ties.2016 Wimbledon and OlympicsAfter reuniting with Ivan Lendl, Murray swept to his third slam title at Wimbledon, this time beating Milos Raonic.And a month later he made some history for himself, overcoming Juan Martin Del Potro in Rio to become the first tennis player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title.World number oneThe season of Murray’s career had a golden ending when a run of five straight tournament victories, culminating in victory at the ATP Finals in London, carried him to the world number one ranking.Return from hip surgeryMurray broke new ground by becoming the first singles player to return to the elite level of the sport following a hip resurfacing operation.The Scot put years of pain behind him to climb back into the world’s top 50 and reach four ATP Tour finals, winning an emotional 46th title in Antwerp in 2019.

LowsKnee troubleMurray feared his career might be over before it began when knee pain interrupted his training in Spain at the age of 16.He was diagnosed with a bipartite patella but was able to manage it effectively.Anyone but EnglandTeenage joshing with Tim Henman during an interview in 2006 came back to haunt Murray when his joke that he would be supporting ‘anyone but England’ at that summer’s football World Cup was widely publicised and damaged his public image and his relationship with the press for several years.Back surgeryMurray’s first time under the knife came in 2013 when he decided a troublesome back problem needed to be fixed by surgery.The Scot was only sidelined for three months but it took him a long time to fully recover.Lendl splitWhile Murray was working his way back in 2014, he was dealt a major body blow when mentor Lendl decided he no longer wanted to continue their relationship.Their reunion in 2016 helped the Scot win more of the sport’s biggest prizes.Hip painThe low that overshadowed all the rest began after the French Open in 2017, when Murray found he was no longer able to recover from chronic hip pain that he had been managing.A resurfacing operation in 2019 that coated the joint in metal eventually allowed him to return.Losing runMurray pushed on through his mid-30s determined that he could still match the best and achieve his goals.But that belief gradually drained away and a run of nine defeats from 10 matches at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 was the worst of his career.

The Scot, who led Great Britain to an historic Davis Cup victory in 2015, then won his second Wimbledon crown in 2016 and followed it up by becoming the only man to win two Olympic gold medals in the singles when he topped the podium in Rio in 2016.

But a chronic hip injury derailed his career and he needed a metal plate inserted into the joint in 2019.

shina

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