Judy Murray: ‘I’m not bad for an old bird!’
The first mum of British tennis, Judy Murray, on life in the Wimbledon spotlight
She may be mum to tennis champs Andy and Jamie, but Judy Murray is more than the sum of her famous sons. Judy, 58, took part in Strictly
Come Dancing in 2014, partnered with Anton Du Beke, and is also a passionate advocate of children’s sport. She tells best about facing her critics, staying friends with Anton, and why she wrote her book, Knowing The Score…
Hi, Judy. Are you enjoying this year’s Wimbledon so far?
Yes, but I do find it stressful! For British players, the spotlight is on you – everyone wants a bit of your time. Nowadays, I just tend to go in, watch the boys play, and then leave.
How is Andy after his recent hip surgery?
He’s doing OK – but, with injuries, you can never put an exact time on it. We won’t know till the last minute if he’s playing, but Jamie will be, so I’ll be there.
We’re so used to seeing you in the crowd, Judy, cheering on the boys!
Well, Wimbledon is broadcast by the BBC, so there are no ad breaks, and the cameras need someone to focus on between points. They always catch me when I’m pumping my fist or baring my teeth! Those pictures made me look overcompetitive for years.
People seem to love the idea of the obsessive tennis parent…
Yes, especially as a mother of sons – it was an unusual dynamic. It’s almost like there’s something wrong with being a competitive mum, but something great about being a competitive dad.
Does that make you angry?
Not angry, but it is difficult to deal with. Nobody really prepares you for it, so I had to put the blinkers on. For many years, I got a rough ride. But I captained the British women’s tennis team for 10 years, and now, with my grassroots work in sport, I think people know my passion for tennis is real, that I’m a good coach and I put a lot back into the game. They have kind of forgiven me, I think!
Is it true you’d practise with balloons and ping pong balls when Andy and Jamie were little?
‘Practising’ is the wrong word! It was more having two little boys, terrible weather, no money and trying to keep them occupied – inventing games that would tire them out and challenge them a little. We had ping pong with cereal boxes for the net and biscuit tin lids for the bat. Everything was born out of necessity and a need to entertain.
As for entertainment, we saw a different side to you on Strictly…
Yes, that was really good for me. It had been years since I’d done something for myself – so the chance to be in someone else’s world for a few months was brilliant, and
I think, as an older woman stepping out of your comfort zone, a lot of people could identify. I’d never danced before – let alone on TV and in heels!
Have you kept in touch with Anton Du Beke?
Absolutely. His twins are a year old now and they are absolutely gorgeous!
Do you still dance a bit?
Not at all! I started going to Zumba classes, but I had to stop because I have no routine to my life. Every day’s totally different. But I realised after doing Strictly that exercising to music is really cool.
Is it true you avoid vest tops, as you’re worried about bingo wings?
Oh, that harks back to 2005, when I was shown footage of myself clapping and I said, ‘It doesn’t matter how slim you are - when you’re in slow motion, everything wobbles.’ Suddenly, it became a story about me never wearing a vest top. It was nonsense!
Glad to hear it, Judy, you look great.
Thank you – I’m not bad for an old bird, am I?
Professional sports are a tough option. Did you ever want the boys to just get an office job?
I just wanted to encourage them, and it was what they wanted. It paid off, and they’re amazing. I’m so proud of them.
Do you still play tennis yourself?
Hardly ever. My life got so saturated with it that now, when I have free time, I don’t want to be anywhere near a court. I don’t miss it. I’d rather go out for lunch, for a swim, or to a musical or a spa – more my idea of fun, nowadays!
Knowing The Score, by Judy Murray (Vintage, £8.99) is out now in paperback.