Cut out the showboating, son! Judy Murray not a fan of Andy’s flamboyance
BRITISH No1 Andy Murray’s flashes of showmanship during this week’s triumph at Queen’s Club may have universally delighted fans – but there is one person who didn’t enjoy his new-found flamboyance.
Murray’s mum Judy (right, with Andy), who cheers and grimaces through every point as much as – if not more than – her son, admits she would rather he reined in his reckless streak as he prepares to carry the nation’s hopes at Wimbledon.
Asked if she approved of his through-the-legs shot during Monday’s victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Judy told City PM: “Oh goodness me, no! The ball came in somewhere he wasn’t expecting it, so he had to improvise. It was good fun but that’s a pretty high-risk shot at the level he’s playing at.”
The uncharacteristic flourish has added to the impression the world No4 has never been more confident heading into his home grand slam.
“He seems to be more relaxed, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why that is,” added Judy, at the launch of Set4Sport, an initiative in partnership with RBS aimed at encouraging parents to play active games with their children. “He’s had his best ever clay court season and he’s 24 now, so has played at Wimbledon for a few years. Perhaps he’s just growing up and coping well with what he knows is ahead of him.”
Fears about an ankle injury picked up last month at the French Open have tempered optimism that Murray could triumph at SW19, although Judy believes “he should be right as rain” by the time it starts on Monday.
Patriotic tennis followers yearn for the Scot to break his grand slam duck at Wimbledon and, while she does her best not to add to that burden of pressure, Judy admits breakthrough success in south London would be special. “Because it’s your home grand slam it is probably the one you would pick – any player from one of the grand slam nations would say that,” she said.
“It’s his goal to win a slam. It’s a very difficult thing to do. He is playing in an era that is probably the strongest ever in men’s tennis.”
Not content with grooming two of our finest ever tennis players in Andy and brother Jamie, Judy is now aiming to encourage a whole generation of athletes through Set4Sport.
“Its all about developing agility, balance, co-ordination and also teaching them to throw and catch,” said tennis coach Judy. “Because I’m not seeing as many kids with those skills as perhaps we did many years ago.”
Set4Sport is a new programme from Judy Murray in association with RBS, showcasing easy ways for parents to play with their children. www.Set4Sport.com