Under the microscope
Tennis coach Judy Murray, 55, answers our health quiz
HOW FIT ARE YOU?
NOT as fit as I’d like to be. I play tennis when I am coaching, but I don’t go to the gym. When I travel, I take elasticated bands that I can tie to door handles to do resistance exercises. Filled water bottles double as handweights. I got fitter doing Strictly last year because I was putting in up to five hours a day on the dance floor. Training in heels really hurt my back.
GET YOUR FIVE-A-DAY?
I’M GOOD with fruit and always have salad with my main course, even pizza. I’m not the best cook, as Andy and Jamie will attest to. When they were growing up it was all ready meals or tins. My vices are Kettle Chips, chocolate fingers and Victoria sponge.
TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS?
GLUCOSAMINE for my joints and fish oil to keep my brain sharp. I think they work, but it’s more important to keep yourself active and make sure you have a healthy, balanced diet.
COPE WELL WITH PAIN?
MY PAIN threshold is pretty high. I had 15 months of cosmetic dental work recently, having my teeth fixed and getting implants. I don’t know which is worst: toothache or the pain from being in the dentist’s chair. But I’m no longer self-conscious about my smile.
EVER CONSIDER PLASTIC SURGERY?
NO. I DID try Botox several years ago between my eyebrows as I had a deep line from years of scowling and concentrating, but it’s not something I’d repeat. You should just put up with the face you’ve been given.
IS MAN FLU A MYTH?
BOYS always ham it up when they’re sick. No question about it.
ARE YOU A POSITIVE PERSON OR A WORRIER?
I CAN make a positive out of any situation. The only thing I have worried about over the years is money. When the boys were young and we were trying to make things happen for them with their tennis careers, we were spending on equipment, travel and coaching. There wasn’t anything coming in, as there isn’t any prize money in the juniors. For three or four years, there was financial stress.
EVER TRIED ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
NO, BUT that’s because of time constraints. Andy and Jamie use acupuncture a lot. Their physiotherapists use needles to release tension and inflammation. They believe in it and feel that it works. If it works for you, why not?
HANGOVER CURE?
I’VE been drunk only once in my life, when I was a student. When I woke up I couldn’t remember the past few hours. I got such a fright. I’ve never been drunk since — I just have the occasional glass of wine or champagne.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?
NO. AS you get older, you realise that you can do less and probably get to a stage where you can do so little that life wouldn’t be much fun.
Judy Murray is captain of the British Fed Cup team. The Fed Cup is the premier international team competition in women’s tennis. lta.org.uk.