COURT JESTERS
JUDY MURRAY BACK IN SEQUINS FOR STRICTLY SPECIAL
A CHRISTMAS that already promises to be full of joy for Judy Murray is also guaranteed to come gift-wrapped in laughter. And it’s all at her own, willing expense. Wimbledon champions Andy and Jamie will be glued to the box with their mum and the rest of the family on December 25 and Judy is doing everything to ensure there will be no more than one turkey sliced for their consumption.
Her boys may move effortlessly across the grass and clay of the world’s top tennis courts but she admits it’s not a compliment that has been readily paid for her efforts on Strictly’s ballroom floor.
However, it is all such glorious, goodnatured nonsense that she couldn’t resist the offer to return for this year’s Christmas special, despite the playful ribbing she knows she’ll take from her sons.
Judy said: “I will be watching it on Christmas Day with my family and you can no doubt imagine the rude comments that will be coming my way.
“Life’s a bit hectic at the moment as I’m trying to fit the dance training for the Strictly special in amongst everything else. I’m aching all over – it’s as bad as it was three years ago.
“I can’t say I ever really got to grips with it the first time. I managed to stay in for eight weeks until the midway showcase in Blackpool.
“It was phenomenal to get the chance to dance in the Tower Ballroom and that night, doing the Viennese waltz, I was actually beginning to get the hang of following my partner Anton Du Beke.
“I haven’t danced a step since then. This time, I’m partnered with a guy called Neil Jones and he’s tasked with teaching me how to Charleston.
“I’m loving it, just as I’ve always loved Strictly. For me, it’s all about doing something completely different and learning something brand new.
“I hope this time I will be more relaxed. I’m really starting from scratch again, so it’s a challenge for Neil. When he’s going left, I’m still going right and my memory goes to mush, but it’s great fun.”
Judy laughs easily and talks 10 to the dozen, which is hardly a surprise when she crams so much into a life in which she’s as happy teaching kids tennis in Easterhouse as she is mingling with the strawberry and cream set at SW10.
On at least
I’m starting from scratch again. When my partner is going left, I’m going right. But it’s great fun JUDY MURRAY
50 days a year, she piles equipment into the back of her van and heads off into rural communities and some of the most deprived areas of Scotland to deliver her Tennis on the Road programme. Of course, Andy and wife Kim have recently welcomed a second daughter, a sister for 17-month-old Sophia, and the doting grandmother has another reason to anticipate the festive season, despite the Strictly ribbings. As the mother of two boisterous boys, she added: “It’s lovely to have little girls in the family – and that’s all I’m going to say about that!” She is, however, more than happy to share her experiences of nurturing two worldclass sporting talents, with details of the journey outlined in her top-selling book Knowing The Score. Judy has committed to three events during Book Week Scotland, including an “In Conversation With…” appearance at the Lochgelly Centre in Fife, fittingly on St Andrew’s Night.
She is keen to provide a road map of sorts to the parents of other budding talents, not only in sport, and will also talk about the fickle nature of success and the importance of giving back.
Andy’s recent exhibition match against Roger Federer at the SSE Hydro, for example, raised more than £700,000 for Unicef and Glasgow charity Sunny-sid3up – twice as much as the first event 12 months previously.
It’s a far cry from the days when Andy’s fledgling career was in the balance as a result of financial worries, which were only eased by a donation out the blue from Scot Maggie Auld, a tennis fan from London keen to support a youngster she didn’t even know.
Andy and his mum met her for the first time six months later and took her for tea at the Queen’s Club. They didn’t know she was terminally ill with cancer – and she passed away two days later.
Judy said: “She was so patriotic and wanted to help. She sent me a cheque for £10,000. It came just before Christmas 2004 and it was like a gift from a fairy godmother.
“I was leaving my job in the January and I was already starting to panic. It gave us a lifeline and six months later, Andy was in the third round of Wimbledon and things moved so quickly from there.
“I’ll never forget that gift. Without the cheque for £10,000, who knows what might have happened?
“It’s very important not to forget those who helped you and that’s why we’ve also been delighted with the success of Andy Murray Live.
“Roger was incredible, he gave so much of himself all day long. And when he put his kilt on, everyone fell in love with him, if they weren’t before.
“He even produced a ‘See You Jimmy’ hat for Andy, which he’d bought at the airport. I don’t know how we can top it next year, but we’ll give it a try.”
Judy is also ready to face another challenge even closer to home – criticism from within sections of her own community in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan of her sports and housing development on greenbelt land at Park of Keir.
Typically, she’ll face it head on. Her feet may struggle for co-ordination when she’s dressed in satin and sequins, but she’s adamant she’s standing on firm ground against those who want to protect the land.
She said: “At some point next year, probably in the summer, we’ll be able to get cracking. I know it is an incredible opportunity for the area and also for tennis, but it is a familyfocused community sports hub.
“It’s all about getting families outdoors, which is really what the country needs.
“I hate, absolutely hate, that we’re becoming a nation of fatties when we live in the most beautiful country.” ● Judy Murray is speaking at three Book Week Scotland events, including in Lochgelly, Fife, at 7pm on Thursday, November 30. Tickets are available at www.onfife.com