Andy Murray has no disgrace. He permits his three daughters to offer him manicures and dons fairy wings throughout playtime. He lately posted an image of himself in a too-small dinosaur costume and one other carrying mouse ears and posing with Mickey. When his tennis footwear — and the marriage band he had tied to the laces — disappeared and then all of a sudden reappeared final yr, Murray admitted that they nonetheless smelled smelly.
But on the tennis courtroom, Murray, 35, is not any joke. Since turning professional 17 years in the past, the previous world No. 1 has usually been hailed as one of many hardest-working execs on the ATP Tour. Though typically stymied by Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Murray has reached 11 main finals, profitable the United States Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. He additionally twice received Olympic gold in singles and led Britain to the Davis Cup in 2015.
Murray has additionally emerged as one of the measured voices within the sport, a champion for ladies’s rights and homosexual rights and prize-money fairness. Hip surgical procedure practically ended his profession in 2018. Instead, it has extended it.
The following interview, carried out through electronic mail, has been edited and condensed.
It’s been 10 years because you reached your first Wimbledon closing. What stands out most?
There had been a number of highs and lows throughout that event. One factor I keep in mind clearly was the stress because it acquired nearer to the ultimate. I don’t assume I appreciated how a lot it meant to the individuals of the U.Ok. to have a British man within the closing. But my important takeaway was dropping to Roger [Federer]. I used to be actually shut, and I needed to win so badly. I felt like I let individuals down.
You’ve performed 70 matches there since your first in 2005. Which one resonates probably the most with you, and which one would you most prefer to replay?
The match that resonates probably the most is once I first received the championship in 2013, however that can also be the match that I might most prefer to replay. It was such a blur. I can’t keep in mind hitting that closing ball or climbing up by way of the group to the field regardless that I’ve seen it replayed loads.
If you had been devising the best participant in historical past, which stroke or trait of yours would make the listing?
If I had to decide on a stroke it might most likely be my lob, which has received me fairly a couple of factors over time. Or my willpower, which has enabled me to come back again from severe harm and carry on enhancing.
Is your best tennis accomplishment that you just had been in a position to return to top-level singles with a steel hip?
I don’t know if I’d say that’s my best tennis accomplishment. I want I hadn’t needed to undergo the hip operations. I had some darkish days throughout that interval, and it was definitely a time I needed to dig deep to make it by way of to the opposite aspect.
Your help of fairness and inclusion is properly documented. Where does that come from, and do you deal with your son in another way out of your daughters?
My mother and father are each compassionate individuals, and they at all times inspired us to deal with everybody with respect. I deal with my youngsters precisely the identical, and I hope they develop up as a part of a era that received’t have boundaries or discrimination based mostly on intercourse or sexual orientation. We’re not there but, which is why I communicate out.
Is this your final Wimbledon? If so, how do you wish to be remembered there?
I hope not. I don’t really feel like I’m finished but. I hope I’ll be round for a couple of extra years. I’d prefer to be remembered for being myself. I don’t assume I at all times match the mildew of what a tennis participant must be like, and I do know I can get annoyed on the courtroom, however I’ve at all times tried to be true to who I’m and what I imagine. I do know on the finish of my profession I’ll have given completely every thing, and that’s all you are able to do.
