Andy Murray stands as one of the greatest British athletes in history. He ended a 77-year drought for British men at Wimbledon and battled through the most competitive era in tennis. Furthermore, he achieved these feats while competing against legends like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Consequently, his career defines resilience, grit, and a surprising amount of dry humor. Explore these fascinating details about the man from Dunblane.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray owns a luxury five-star hotel. He purchased the Cromlix House Hotel in Scotland for nearly two million pounds. He transformed the Victorian mansion into a successful business where his brother Jamie also held his wedding.
He plays with a metal hip joint. In 2019, he underwent a hip resurfacing surgery that many thought would end his career. Amazingly, he returned to the professional tour and even won titles with his new bionic part.
He ties his wedding ring to his shoelaces during matches. Because he cannot wear the ring on his finger while playing, he loops it onto his sneaker. Unfortunately, this habit once caused panic when he lost his shoes, and the ring, under a car in California.
Andy Murray remains the only tennis player to win two consecutive Olympic singles gold medals. He defeated Roger Federer in London in 2012 and Juan Martín del Potro in Rio in 2016. This achievement sets him apart from every other male or female player in history.
He named his dogs after tennis legends and rock stars. He called his border terrier Rusty after Lleyton Hewitt and his other dog Maggie May after the Rod Stewart song. Sadly, the family had to say goodbye to both pets in recent years.
He was born with a bipartite patella. This means his kneecap bone never fully fused together as a child. Therefore, he played his entire career with a split kneecap that caused him significant pain.
He hired a female coach when it was unpopular to do so. In 2014, he appointed Amélie Mauresmo as his head coach. This decision broke barriers in the male-dominated sport and highlighted his commitment to gender equality.
As a child, he dressed exactly like Andre Agassi. He bought denim shorts and a hat with a fake ponytail attached to it. He wore this “hot lava” outfit to tournaments to mimic his American idol.
He loves ice cream more than most athletes. He once admitted that he could eat four Feast ice creams in a single day. However, he follows a strict diet during the season to maintain his fitness.
Andy Murray survived the Dunblane school shooting. In 1996, he and his brother hid in the headmaster’s office during the tragedy. He rarely speaks about the event but dedicated his biography to the victims.
He received a knighthood for his services to tennis and charity. Prince Charles officially knighted him at Buckingham Palace in 2019. Thus, announcers can formally introduce him as Sir Andy Murray.
He owns a management agency called 77 Sports Management. He chose the number 77 because it marks the number of years between the last two British Wimbledon champions. The agency mentors young athletes across the UK.
He once played a 26-minute tie-break. He and Novak Djokovic battled through one of the longest tie-breaks in Grand Slam history at the US Open. Eventually, Murray won the set and went on to claim his first major title.
He is obsessed with go-karting. He owns his own racing gear, including a helmet with “The Stig” written on the back. He uses the sport to unwind and satisfy his need for speed off the court.
Finally, Andy Murray accidentally locked himself in a hotel bathroom before an award ceremony. He missed receiving his Young Sports Personality of the Year award live on TV. The crew found him just in time to give a quick interview.
