Sir Andy’s having a smashing time keeping fit – on his bike

Tennis ace tells duchess of his sadness at missing Wimbledon

Sir Andy Murray has described the cancellation of Wimbledon as a “shame”, and suggested that as an ageing player his days of competing in Grand Slams are numbered.

But in advice to young players he told them that winning and losing were not crucial and said: “Enjoying playing a sport and being active is the most important thing.”

The tennis star’s comments came during a surprise appearance at the Duchess of Cambridge’s virtual visit to a south London school, and he confessed he had spent much of his time keeping fit by riding his bike rather than practising on court.

During the video call, Sir Andy was asked by Kate if he missed playing matches and he replied: “I think missing the big competitions, because I’m getting old for a tennis player, you never know how many opportunities you’re going to have left to play the biggest competitions.

“So missing Wimbledon this week is obviously a shame.”

Sir Andy’s career was put in doubt after he was plagued by a hip problem that required surgery in 2019, but he returned to the sport and last month competed in the Battle of the Brits tournament, reaching the semi-finals.

Speaking during the video call, made last week, to pupils from Bond Primary School in Mitcham, the tennis star, who has three young children with wife Kim Sears, said he had found the first five or six weeks of lockdown manageable.

But he admitted he had “started to find it probably a bit harder to find things to do for the kids, to stay creative with ideas and games for them to enjoy”.

He did not play tennis for around 10 weeks, he said, instead staying in shape with cycling.

“It’s quite important in these times to stay as active as you can because it is good for the mind as well,” he said.

Sir Andy Murray spoke to the Duchess of Cambridge and pupils at Bond Primary School in London by video call.