Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has spent plenty of time on the golf course since retiring from tennis
Andy Murray has been focusing on a different sport since calling time on his tennis career last year. The two-time Wimbledon winner has been spending considerable time on the golf course after setting himself a new challenge.
Murray retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics following an injury-plagued end to his playing days. Shortly after his retirement, the 38-year-old began coaching Novak Djokovic, although their partnership lasted just six months.
It seems Murray is not rushing into a second tennis return, having taken part in multiple Pro-Am golf competitions. Here’s what the sporting icon has shared about his golfing dreams and ambition to work as a caddy.
‘Dream job’ admission
Murray has wanted to work as a golf caddy for many years. Back in 2021, when asked about his post-tennis plans, becoming a bagman topped Murray’s wishlist.
“I love sport so something else that would interest me post-playing would be working in another sport,” Murray told The Gentleman’s Journal. “I got asked about this a little while ago and, because I really like golf, being a caddy on a golf tour would be exciting – to be up close and personal with top golfers and to learn about another sport like that.
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“There’s probably also some crossover between tennis and golf on the mental side and things and helping a golfer with that might be interesting. Or getting my coaching badges in football – that would be fun.”
Earlier this month, Murray showed that his desire to become a professional golf caddy remained as strong as ever. During an appearance on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Murray described it as his ideal job and revealed Robert MacIntyre as his dream golf partner.
“I’m considering becoming a golf caddy, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage,” Murray said. “I love golf and if you love that sport, it would be a great job.
“If you are working with a top golfer and being there when they have a great moment on the course and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions and things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job.”
He added: “That’s like the dream. Imagine carrying Robert MacIntyre’s bag when he won The Open. That’s like the dream job.”
Scratch golfer target
A month after his final tennis match at the Olympics, Murray shared footage of his golf swing. The three-time Grand Slam winner revealed he was working towards lowering his handicap, which currently stands at two.
Murray captioned the video: “First ever golf lesson today on the journey to become a scratch golfer. Any tips welcome!”.
Before the Paris Olympics, he outlined his retirement plans. “I’ll play a lot of golf,” Murray said. “I want to become a scratch golfer. I’ve always loved playing golf, but because of the issues with my back, I haven’t played for five or six years.”
The Open ambition
Despite making a strong impression at Pro-Am events, Murray has made it clear he has no intentions of turning professional. However, the tennis legend plans to take part in a qualifying tournament for the Open in the future.
“I don’t have ambitions of playing in the Open,” Murray said in September. “I want to try and play in the regional qualifying at some stage. A couple of my friends have done it.
“It would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that. I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for the Open.
“I’m fully aware of how good the players that play in those events are and how good the pros are in comparison to amateurs. Even guys that play off +2, +3 are miles off what these guys on the Tour are doing.”
Wife Kim’s thoughts on golf
Having stepped away from the tennis circuit, it appears Murray is dedicating most of his new free time to the golf course. However, he believes his wife Kim Sears has no issues with his new sporting hobby.
“I don’t think she wants me in the house all day bothering her, to be honest,” he joked on The Romesh Ranganathan Show. “So, yeah, she’s fine with it – so long as I help drop-off and pick-up [the kids to and from school]. I don’t think she massively wants to see me during the day, [at least] that’s what I think.”
His newfound passion hasn’t escaped the attention of his youngsters either. “My kids think I’m a golfer. They say, ‘Daddy, why do you play every day?'” Murray told The Times.
“I didn’t really play for 12 years because I had a back operation in my mid-twenties and I was sore when I practised. Thankfully, it’s been pretty good since I finished – I think tennis was the main issue – and I just really enjoy it.”
