Andy Murray has rejected suggestions he could become a pundit after retiring as the tennis legend faces what could be the final months of his career.
The 37-year-old downplayed the prospect of becoming a talking head when his playing career ends, admitting he “didn’t particularly enjoy it” in his previous attempts and criticizing the role by stating that “everyone agrees with each other.” all the time.’
The two-time Wimbledon champion, who is hopeful of triumphing at the tournament next month, admitted he was “not happy” with the looming specter of his retirement.
Murray, who also wants to participate in tennis at the Paris Olympics this summer (he previously won gold in men’s singles at London 2012 and Rio 2016) said he still feels young and that leaving the sport would leave him with a huge void for in front of. fill his life.
The father-of-four has suggested he could “potentially” get into coaching, and that his ambitions are not limited to tennis, with the sports star potentially trying his hand at football or golf.
Andy Murray hits the ball with his tennis racket during the Rolex Paris Masters in France in October 2023.
The three-time Grand Slam champion pictured with his wife Kim Murray at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2019.
However, a move towards experts such as former professional Tim Henman, whom Murray succeeded as the leading British tennis star of his generation, does not appear to appeal to the Scot.
Nor the retirement itself, as the three-time Grand Slam champion tells it. Sunday weather “He is not happy” with the possibility of ending his playing career.
He said that while many people see retirement as an opportunity to “put their feet up and enjoy the rest of life,” he laments the fact that he will have to do so because he still feels young even though his body is starting to feel the price of his almost 20-year career.
He told the newspaper: “I’m aware that it’s going to be difficult for me when that time comes.” Because this gives you a lot. I invest a lot of my mental energy in tennis. Wake up in the morning with a routine? To improve yourself? That’s great motivation, every day. And when that is not there, it will be difficult to replace it.”
‘I’m sure there will be other things in life that I will love, enjoy and that will motivate me. But right now? “I still love tennis.”
He seems less enthusiastic about the idea of talking about sport on television and told The Sunday Times he “didn’t particularly enjoy” his previous attempts as a pundit.
He added: “Everyone agrees with each other all the time; there’s no need for analysis and I don’t think it’s entertaining or best for the sport.” One thing I like about football is that they disagree. Like last night, after the Scotland game…’
For Murray, football could provide a second life after his retirement – the Scot is a big Arsenal fan and has previously suggested he could put his coaching badges to good use in the sport. He told The Sunday Times that he could “potentially” move into coaching outside of tennis.
Andy Murray holds his head in his hands during a press conference after an injury forced him to withdraw from his maths match against Jordan Thompson at Queen’s Club on June 19.
Murray, pictured training for the US Open in New York City in August 2023, has expressed his fear of retiring.
It’s something that has been on his mind for a while: last year he spoke of his ambition to keep busy and also expressed an interest in helping professional golfers as a caddy.
He told British Airways’ High Life magazine in July 2023: “I’m looking for something that I’m really passionate about and that I want to work really hard on to achieve a specific goal.” One area that meets that requirement is training, but not necessarily in tennis. I will definitely want to keep busy.”
While he decides which direction to take his career when he finally calls it quits, Murray will have a number of business projects to keep him busy.
In 2013 they bought the luxury Scottish country house Cromlix Hotel, which is near the village of Dunblane where he grew up, and have overseen its refurbishment. They have also submitted planning applications for nine additional cottages which they hope to build later this year.
Murray also has a substantial stake in British sportswear brand Castore, is a shareholder in Game4Padel, a fast-growing game that is a cross between tennis and squash, and in TMRW Sports, a company launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
And he supports British startups (he has a long association with UK crowdfunding platform Seedrs) and is a global ambassador for Unicef and the World Wildlife Fund.
In 2022, he donated £510,000 (the prize money for the entire year) to help displaced Ukrainian children and received an Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in recognition of his efforts. Murray is the first Briton to win multiple Wimbledon singles titles since Fred Perry in 1936.
But he had to wait to achieve success. He famously gave a tearful speech after losing his first Wimbledon final against Roger Federer in 2012.
Twelve months later, it finally ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s champion: the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and former champions Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker were among those watching from the Royal Box.
He became Wimbledon champion for the second time in 2016 when he beat Canadian Milos Raonic in five sets, repeating his 2013 triumph and claiming a third Grand Slam title.