Judy Murray calls for more financial support for young UK tennis players
Judy Murray has called for better financial help for promising young British tennis players after revealing the sacrifices her family made to support her two sons’ careers.
She said they were “skint” and had to take out a loan to fund Andy’s place at a tennis academy in Barcelona for three years when he was a teenager.
Murray said there was no prize money in junior tennis and it was very expensive to travel the world to play at tournaments.
It was only after Andy turned professional at 18 in 2005 that he started earning, which helped the family support elder brother Jamie’s career on the doubles circuit.
“Andy won the US juniors in September 2004 and by the end of September 2005 I was watching him playing the final of an ATP tour event in Bangkok against Roger Federer,” Murray said.
“It was like the fastest rise ever.
“My God, it was fast, we were absolutely skint.
“You have no idea how expensive it is to develop a young tennis player. Once they outgrow their county area, you have to travel.
“Once you try and rise up the world junior rankings by having to play overseas, it is like going on holiday every week but without the fun.
“It’s hotels, accommodation, meals, physios etc and there is nothing coming back in because there is no prize money.
“It’s an enormous expense and it is why many, many kids and families pull out of it because the costs are just beyond the average family.”
She added: “My kids work incredibly hard at what they do, they have a very good work ethic and, coming from Scotland, you appreciate everything you get and you do work hard because nothing is handed to you on a plate.”
The mother-of-two, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday night to promote her new book, Knowing The Score, said there was a lot more help in team sports.
Murray also spoke about her struggle to overcome sexism in a male-dominated sport.