"My mom was shown on TV shouting, fist-pumping" - Andy Murray laments wrong media narrative about his mother Judy being a 'strict' tennis mom

Andy Murray has shut down narratives about Judy Murray being a strict mother. He revealed that she was the complete opposite and supported him immensely during his career.

Murray retired from professional tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics. He participated in men's doubles alongside Dan Evans and was eliminated by Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals.

The 38-year-old shared some interesting stories about his mother on a recent podcast. He dismissed rumours about Judy being a strict tennis mom on tour.

"The media often said your mum was strict and closely watched your career. Was that true?" The interviewer asked on 'The Romesh Ranganatham Show'. "Well, I think it’s probably because she was a tennis coach, people would see that and think, 'oh, the mum’s a coach, the kids became top tennis players, she must have pushed them.' And then, when she was shown on TV, she came across as really competitive, standing up, shouting, fist-pumping when we played well. So I guess that fed into everyone’s perception of her. But when we were growing up, it honestly wasn’t like that at all," Andy Murray said

Murray began his professional tennis career in 2005. He quickly rose through the ranks and won 46 singles titles throughout his career.

The former World No. 1 captured his first Major title at the US Open in 2012. He then became the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon Championships in 2013. Murray added another title at the SW19 in 2016.

The Brit revealed that his mother, Judy, graciously supported him and his brother during their early days.

"There was a time where you know my brother wanted to stop tennis for four or five months. You know he didn't do tennis at all. My mum supportive of that. I went through periods where I was more into football than tennis, and we never got like forced to play. We went because it was fun. Out mum made in enjoyable," Andy Murray said

While Andy Murray won three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, his brother Jamie Murray claimed two Majors in men’s doubles (the 2016 Australian Open and US Open) and three in mixed doubles (the US Open in 2017, 2018, and 2019).

"I loved being coached by her, she was brilliant" - Andy Murray praises his mother for making tennis fun throughout his career

Judy and Andy Murray: Centre Stage - Glasgow - Source: Getty

Sir Andy Murray received his knighthood in 2019, more than two years after being awarded the honour. He was named in the Queen’s 2016 New Year Honours after winning his second Wimbledon title and Olympic gold.

Murray revealed that his mother coached him until he was 13. He praised her efforts and felt that she made tennis fun for him and his brother.

"My mum coached me and my brother until we were about 12 or 13. After that, she was still involved in our careers, but not in a hands-on way. I loved being coached by her; she was brilliant. Was she very strict? Not at all. It was actually the opposite. Everything was about having fun," Andy Murray said

The Brit shared that his mother didn't make tennis look like an individual sport. He said the focus was more on fun than on results.

"Even though tennis is an individual sport, she always made it feel like a team activity. Whenever we went to tournaments, she made sure we travelled with other kids so it felt more social and enjoyable. When she coached in Scotland and organised tennis competitions, the focus was always on fun, not on the results," he added

Apart from supporting her sons, Judy Murray has helped young girls pursue tennis through the Judy Murray Foundation. She also captained Great Britain in the Fed Cup during her playing career.

Edited by Aman Mohamed