Andy Murray's life since tennis retirement – Ban after complaints, new job, wife Kim's support
Andy Murray has been keeping himself occupied since hanging up his racket after the 2024 Olympic Games. The Scottish legend, who clinched three Grand Slam titles, was a formidable competitor against the 'big three' of his era: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Even after retirement, Murray remains an influential figure in British tennis while exploring various interests. Besides enjoying more quality time with his wife, Kim, and their four children, he's embarked on a live theatre tour and dedicated efforts to improving his golf handicap.
A year after retiring from professional play, we look at what the 38-year-old has been up to, including a brief new role and a television advert that was pulled off the air...
New job with rival
In a surprising move, Murray briefly ventured into coaching, teaming up with one of his fiercest competitors, Djokovic, ahead of this year's Australian Open.
Before the tournament, Murray expressed his openness to being on the receiving end of the Serbian's intense on-court emotions, saying: "Providing that he's giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I'm absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants."
Murray confessed that the invitation to coach the 24-time Grand Slam champion came as much of a surprise to him as it did to everyone else, admitting: "I was enjoying being away from the tour, and I really hadn't watched much tennis.
"I had not missed playing or competing or being on a tennis court at all. I was actually playing golf. We'd actually been exchanging messages. Novak had messaged me just wanting to chat.
"I was on the 17th hole of the golf course, and the guy I was playing with said to me, 'Do you know what's next?' I was like, 'No, not really.' He said, 'Do you have any plans to do any coaching?' And I said, 'Honestly, I can't think of anything worse to do right now.'
"And then 30 minutes later I was in the car and I called Novak, and then we had a conversation and he asked if I would be interested in helping, which I obviously wasn't expecting.
"I said to him, 'Look, I need to think about it and talk to my family.' So I spoke to them and, after a couple of days, I thought that it was a pretty unique opportunity and experience."
The collaboration lasted for only one Grand Slam, with confirmation arriving in May that they would cease working together. Murray said: "Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season."
Theatre shows
Murray recently wrapped up his live speaking tour, 'Centre Stage,' where he shared insights into his career with theatre audiences.
The tour took place in June and saw Murray gracing stages in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London's Apollo and the New Wimbledon Theatre, with special appearances from Kim, mother Judy and tennis icon John McEnroe.
Wimbledon snub
Despite his strong ties to Wimbledon, Murray chose to give the 2025 tournament a miss. Speaking to The Guardian, he explained: "I'm not working there. I don't go to watch tennis as a fan.
"But if one of my kids wanted to go along and watch, I obviously would take them. If a British player made the final, I'd go.
"I went to the Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz final a couple of years ago, just because I had a feeling it was going to be a great match. But I won't be there otherwise."
Banned advert
Murray made headlines for appearing in an Australian advert that was pulled from air after complaints that it "promoted kidnapping."
The two-time Wimbledon champ starred in a controversial Uber Eats commercial during this year's Australian Open. The contentious ad depicted Murray being confronted by two delivery drivers at his hotel who tell him, "We're here for you, actually," after his protests that he hadn't ordered anything. They then instruct him to "get in the bag," prompting Murray to dash away down the hallway.
Murray then leaps through a glass window before making a dash for it. A message flashes up on screen declaring: "Order Andy Murray on Uber Eats Now. We haven't caught him yet, but he can't run forever."
But following complaints to Australian's Ad Standards Community Panel, the advert was banned. The panel backed the complaint regarding kidnapping, ruling it "depicted violent and threatening behaviour."
One complainant asked: "Why is kidnapping being promoted as a normal act? It is against the law. The Uber ads will teach children it is OK to kidnap people."
Sharpening his golf skills
Tennis retirement has given Murray the chance to dedicate more time to another sporting love – golf. The seven-handicapper teed off at the BMW PGA Championship's Pro-Am at Wentworth last year and claimed victory at the inaugural BTJA Mike Dickson Golf Day, staged in honour of the veteran Daily Mail tennis correspondent who passed away while at the 2024 Australian Open.
On his passion for golf, Murray said: "It's a different sort of nerves, because you are comfortable in the sort of tennis environment. I'm not thinking I'm going to walk out on the tennis court and forget how to hit the ball.
"Whereas here [on the golf course], there's people standing five metres away from where I'm driving, and I'm like, I'm useless at this game. You just want to try and keep the ball in play and don't mess up too much. I'm obviously getting to practice a lot more than the average person.
"I obviously played a bit when I was younger, and if I can get the right sort of lessons and practise the right things, then yeah, I've got a chance of doing that [becoming a scratch player]."
Life with wife Kim
When it comes to his personal life, Murray is full of appreciation for his wife, Kim, who shuns the spotlight.
In an interview with the New York Times, he shared his gratitude for her sacrifices, saying: "She doesn't like being in the newspapers, and people commenting on what she's wearing and how she looks, and those sorts of things.
"That's one of the things that I guess she's also sacrificed, a little bit, for our relationship, and I appreciate that a lot. You're in these huge cities meeting new people all the time and it would be easy to get your head turned.
"But Kim's always been there for me. She really cares about me and helps with so many things. She always has. That's why we have such a great relationship."
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