Andy Murray: ‘I’m trying to persuade my wife to move to Scotland’

Andy Murray has said he is trying to persuade his wife to buy a home in Scotland.

The retired tennis champion said he would like to spend more time in his hometown of Dunblane.

The 38-year-old was appointed the patron of The Dunblane Centre, a local charity established using donations sent from around the world following the aftermath of the Primary School Tragedy in 1996.

The two-time Wimbledon champ said he was proud to join the team one year after announcing his retirement from professional tennis.

“I think community centres like this one are becoming more and more essential, particularly for kids who need spaces where they can try new things and meet new people,” he said.

Speaking to STV News, Murray described the town as a “special place” and said the people always supported his career, no matter what.

“It didn’t matter whether I was winning or losing, I always had the support of Dunblane,” he told STV News.

He added that it still feels like home: “This is my home and unfortunately while I was playing tennis wasn’t able to spend as much time here, but now we come up here with the kids for summer holidays and I’m hoping to get a place here at some stage.”

As for whether he’d consider a permanent move back to his hometown, Murray said it’s an option for later in life.

“I don’t think whilst the kids are at school, they’re really happy and settled, but maybe when they’re a little bit older.

“I’ll try and encourage my wife to do it, she loves it here as well, but her family is obviously down south so it’s all a balance.”

The tennis star spoke about his transition into retirement saying it had been “pretty easy”.

“A lot of athletes, when they finish playing, you’ve had this routine that you’ve been doing for the last 25 years of your life, and then that’s all gone, but my new routine is with the children, and they keep me busy.

He continued: “I’ve really not missing playing at all because of my family.”

‘I don’t currently have a job’

Describing his day-to-day life, he said: “I don’t currently have a job. I’m pretty quiet during the week when the kids are at school. We get up and do what all families do: try to get our kids out of the house on time and drop them off, and I always try to be there for pick up.”

He added that his kids are happy to have him home, saying: “I felt like my relationship with them over the last year has gotten strong and stronger.”

Although family life keeps him busy, Murray has found time for new hobbies including a new sport – golf.

Murray has long been a fan of playing a round of 18 holes whenever time allowed and his Twitter bio now states: “I played tennis, I now play golf.”

He made his debut at Celebrity Pro-Am alongside Robert MacIntyre for the event at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey last September.

However, he has no plans in pursuing it professionally.

“I’m playing a lot. I think I play well in relation to my friendship group, but I would have no chance. If I could play professionally, I would, but I’m not good enough,” he said.

As for keeping up with the sport that shot him to fame, Murray revealed he hadn’t been following tennis since leaving the court behind.

“To be honest, I haven’t followed tennis that closely since I retired. We had one of the top juniors in the world, Charlie Robertson. I spent a bit of time with him, and my mum keeps me posted on what’s going on,” he said.

Despite not keeping up with the sport, Murray said he has spoken to some up-and-coming Scottish tennis stars.

“I would help any of the Scottish players if they wanted to, and I chat on the phone if anyone needs any advice.”

The star added that he would be open to coaching the youngsters “when the time is right”.

“With coaching, you need to spend a lot of time with them and travelling, and right now I don’t want to travel, and I want to be home with my family.”

The centre said the tennis star’s family have been involved since the beginning.

His grandfather Roy Erskine advised the original steering group and grandmother Shirley contributed her homemade shortbread to fundraising efforts.

The centre celebrated its 20th anniversary last year after experiencing financial struggles in 2023 after rising costs.