As the nation’s gripped by Wimbledon fever, Britain’s number one tennis player, Andy Murray, 19, talks tennis (obviously), romance (ahh), stuffing his face (nice), and throwing up on court (urgh)
Blimey, we’ve never seen anyone devour so much chocolate in one go. Aren’t you on some sort of health kick?
Andy Murray (Polishing off the last morsel of an enormous chocolate bar): No, I can eat what I want. I love chocolate and if it helps me put on weight, all the better. I can’t gain weight to save my life. I work hard in the gym, but look at me.
You should be filling up on Scottish delicacies, like haggis or square sausage (sliced sausage loaf)…
AM: I should say I crave the haggis, but square sausage with good butter on a nice bun wins every time.
Would you consider yourself a celebrity?
AM: I don’t go out of my way to get noticed. When I’m in Scotland it’s tough, because loads of people come up to me. They’re always really polite. It’s nice, it’s fun and good to speak to people who aren’t involved in tennis, but some have this habit of just staring at me and that makes me really self-conscious. I’d rather they came up and said hello.
Do you have any celebrity mates?
AM: Hmm. Robin Williams, he’s probably the most famous person I’ve met – it was in the States at a party my agent took me to. Robin’s hilarious in person and very nice.
Do you have any mad fans?
AM: No stalkers yet, although I did get a phone number slipped into my bag when I played at Wimbledon once.
Do you still get a kick out of staying in posh hotels?
AM: It’s nice, but it’s difficult to relax, because you don’t know how long you will be there – whether you’ll lose a match on the first day and leave or whether you’ll stay for longer.
Do you go through the hotel drawers and see if there’s anything worth popping in your suitcase?
AM: Ha! No, I go through the mini bar, though – not for the booze, because I don’t like alcohol, but for the snacks. And in the good hotels the toiletries are really nice – like the one I’m staying in at the moment has Jo Malone, and some of the others have Molton Brown, so I have all that away. Lots of shower caps!
Do you have a girlfriend?
AM: Yes, I’ve been with my girlfriend Kim for a year and a half. She’s English, and studies in Brighton. She’s just taken a gap year, then she’s going to go to drama school.
Is it hard having a long-distance relationship?
AM: It’s not really a problem, because I see her for maybe half the year. I see her for five weeks around Wimbledon, and she comes to four or five tournaments during the year. The rest of the time I’m here in the UK.
Are you on a no-nookie ban like footballers, before a game?
AM: Andre Agassi used to say it gave him energy so no, my coach hasn’t banned me – yet.
Are you a romantic person?
AM: I’d like to say yes, but I don’t think I am. When I won my first tournament I went into the crowd and kissed my girlfriend. I was 18 and didn’t have my coach with me, I was there on my own, and I just needed to celebrate with someone I knew. I always start out with good intentions. I’ll say something nice, then I’ll just put my foot in it and ruin the moment.
What sort of kid were you?
AM: I was a good boy. Even if I wasn’t playing tennis I don’t think I’d have done things like smoking or getting drunk. I’m lucky I never liked the taste of alcohol – I know, I’m Scottish so what’s wrong with me? – but I never even liked the smell of the stuff. It’s the same with smoking, it never appealed to me. I guess I missed out on my Kevin-The-Teenager phase.
What would you have become if you weren’t a tennis player?
AM: I’d have loved to have been a footballer. I was always playing football and I enjoyed it much more than tennis to begin with. It’s more fun to play in a team, all the parents are there cheering you on. With tennis I did really well in national tournaments when I was a kid and went over to France a few times. But it can be lonely losing a match and there’s no one there to commiserate. Mind you, I soon realised I’d never be as good at footie as I was at tennis, so when I was 15 I moved to Barcelona to train.
Did you learn any Spanish?
AM: When I was about 16 I understood quite a lot, because I travelled with a Spanish coach, but I never studied it – I really regret that now. Off the tennis court I’m too laid-back. No, re-phrase that, I’m dead lazy.
But you’re not laid-back on court. In fact, you’re something of a hothead…
AM: Yeah, I do have the odd strop.
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Ever broken a racquet?
AM: Oh yeah, loads. I break about one a month from getting annoyed. My personality does change when I play, but showing emotion is good, isn’t it?
When was the last time you cried?
AM: In San José when my older brother won a doubles tournament. He’d had a lot of problems with tennis and quit playing for a little while. It was awful knowing he was unhappy, so to see him playing again and winning was brilliant. I cried with pride.
Has there ever been any sibling rivalry between you two?
AM: No, because he just plays doubles. We just like to see each other doing well.
Any on-court superstitions?
AM: I listen to my iPod as I walk on. If I’m winning I’ll listen to the same song, that’s like a good luck thing – usually The Black Eyed Peas’ Let’s Get It Started.
You don’t wear the same pair of socks if you’re on a winning streak?
AM: I get bad sweaty feet, so that would be horrible! I always wear two pairs of socks, so my feet get really hot, but it does prevent blisters. Now, there’s a tip for you.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you during a match?
AM: When I was playing in the juniors at Wimbledon I forgot to turn my mobile phone off. It was lying there in my bag and it rang in the middle of a match, and it was one of my friends from school saying, ‘Murray, you’re on the telly!’ I learnt from that. I now put my phone on silent.
And the most embarrassing thing?
AM: It was at the US Open in 2005. I was walking to change sides and I’d just had a drink. I felt myself burp and thought well, that’s OK, but then I felt another one coming and I was actually sick all over the court. They cleared it up, but when I had another drink I promptly did the same again. It was red – lovely.
Does the thought of injury constantly worry you?
AM: You can be careful as far as you can, but you never know when you’re going to fall over and break your ankle. It’s like when you drive a car, you don’t think about crashing, do you?
Well, you don’t – you haven’t passed your test…
AM: Ha! Fair point. I do want to do that, and then I’ll get a car – I fancy a Mercedes. They’re my favourite cars: classy, but not too in your face like a Ferrari.
Tell us a secret about yourself…
AM: When I’m frustrated that I’m not doing well in a tournament I cut my own hair, just lop it all off. I’ve probably made a right mess of it, but luckily I wear a cap when I play.
ANDY'S REALITY CHECK
How much is a Pimm’s at Wimbledon?
I don’t drink, so I don’t know for sure, I’d say it’s a fiver. About right.
And a portion of strawberries?
I know this! Strawberries and cream is £4.50, which is unbelievable as it’s a tiny bowl with very few strawberries. Correct.
When did you last take public transport?
I always take the tube when I’m in London. I don’t see the point of being in a car – it takes too long to get anywhere. People say the tube’s always delayed, but I find it good.
Have you ever said, ‘Don’t you know who I am?’
Oh God no, I’d never say that. It makes me cringe.
Andy Murray wants families to play tennis all year round. Start playing tennis today at David Lloyd Leisure, visit www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk for more information.
