That’s my boy! Judy’s praise and tears for ‘inspiring’ son
SHE has been by Sir Andy Murray’s side through all of her superstar son’s tennis highs and lows.
So it came as no surprise yesterday when Judy Murray told of having a ‘hard week’ after the two-time Wimbledon champion announced his impending retirement.
Mrs Murray revealed she was ‘incredibly sad’ his career has come to a premature end due to injury but said she was ‘hugely proud’ of the 31-year-old’s many inspiring achievements.
Sir Andy, from Dunblane, Perthshire, broke down in tears on Friday as he admitted that this week’s Australian Open could be the last tournament of his career.
The Olympic gold medallist had surgery a year ago for a serious hip injury but said he was in such unbearable pain that he might not be able to stick to his initial plan to keep playing until after Wimbledon.
And yesterday, in a Sunday newspaper, his mother wrote: ‘I’m incredibly sad to see Andy announce the end of his tennis career.
‘Who would have thought a wee boy from Dunblane would ever win Wimbledon and create tennis history?
‘It’s been very tough to watch what Andy has been going through over the past 18 months. Trying to regain his fitness after surgery and get back on tour has been a huge challenge.
‘He’s been in pain for a long time and though he’s been working hard to recover, I know how frustrating it has been for him.
‘As a parent, all you can do is try to understand what your children are going through so you can help in whatever way is necessary. But it’s tough to see your kids in constant pain.
‘It’s so important to have your family and oldest friends around to give you unconditional support and we will continue to be there for him.’
Mrs Murray coached the former world number one and his doubles champion brother Jamie, 32, during their early playing days. She now hopes the country can build on Sir Andy’s legacy when it comes to tennis.
She said: ‘I’m hugely proud of what Andy has achieved... his commitment and professionalism are second to none.
‘I’m sure he will continue to have a huge impact on the world of tennis. He has inspired so many – young and old – to watch and play and I will continue to hope the powers that be will find a way to capitalise on his lasting tennis legacy in Scotland and help to make us a fitter, healthier and more ambitious nation.’
Sir Andy’s grandmother revealed she was desperate to give her grandson a ‘cuddle’.
Ellen Murray, 85, said: ‘Watching him on the telly, if he starts crying I just want to give him a cuddle. Andrew is very emotional, a bit soft-hearted.
‘I didn’t know Andrew was going to retire. It has been a great career and I have been so proud of him but his health comes first.’
She also told how much Sir Andy values family, saying the three-time Grand Slam winner rushed home to Scotland from the US Open in 2016 so he could be by her husband Gordon’s side when he died.
She said: ‘Andrew, God love him, was there at his bedside holding his hand all the time.’
Sir Andy was back on the court on Saturday practising ahead of his first-round clash today with Roberto Bautista Agut.
Fellow players have been busy paying tribute to the star.
Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, said: ‘I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now we’re going to lose him at some point.
‘It’s a tough one but down the road he can look back and be incredibly proud.’
Australian player Nick Kyrgios said Sir Andy was like a ‘brother’, adding: ‘This was never the way you wanted to go out but, hey, it was a heck of a ride.’