Andy Murray has a new sporting love. (Image: Sky Sports)
might have called time on his professional tennis career but that doesn’t mean the sport isn’t helping his brand new venture. Murray, 37, , having cemented himself as an all-time British great with three Grand Slam titles to his name.
His decision followed a string of injury problems in recent years, with the Scot needing hip surgery in 2019 to prolong his time in the sport.
But the two-time gold medalist has no intention of stopping physical activity, immediately signalling his intention to take up golf after hanging up his racket.
Indeed, after only receiving his first lesson this month, Murray took to social media to underline his ambition, sharing a video clip on the driving range and writing: “First ever golf lesson today on the journey to become a scratch golfer! Any tips welcome!”
And in a feature on Sky Sports News, Murray has now admitted the ‘mistakes’ made in his tennis career have helped him adapt to managing his way around 18-hole courses. “In a match we play 100, 150 points, and they all matter,” he said.
“You can sort of compound your errors. In golf, when I started playing…… it’s so easy hitting the rough and then I’m thinking right, par four, I need to try and make it to the green and just end up duffing it like 20 yards in front of me.
Murray at the BMW PGA Championship this month. (Image: Getty)
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“And in tennis you can’t afford to do that either. You can’t afford to let your mistakes bleed into like three, four, five points in a row. I hope that’s something I’m doing ok on he golf course just because of my experience of tennis – trying not to let the mistakes get to me too much. But I am enjoying it.”
Murray admitted that golf had taken up much of his recreational time since his final bow at Roland Garros. However, he also outlined how much he was enjoying being away from the vigorous schedule of the ATP circuit.
“So far it’s been a lot of this, a lot of golf,” he said, when asked how retirement was treating him. “And then just looking after the kids and being at home. We do so much travelling as tennis players, I’ve been loving being at home and not having any real responsibilities, and spending time with the kids.”
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If Murray does want to further hone his game, then guidance shouldn’t be far away. Another ex-British player in Tim Henman has a better than scratch handicap and once reportedly shot 69 at Augusta.
His former coach mean while, Ivan Lendl, once played in the Austrian Open and alongside seasoned professionals. The 64-year-old spoke openly about earning a tour card, but later admitted he had underestimated the levels of play needed to get a world ranking.