Latest news with #JudyMurray
Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Times
Judy Murray: Toxic tennis mums taught me how not to raise my boys
Judy Murray has said she learnt 'how not to parent' by listening to young tennis players explaining that they would receive the silent treatment or be denied treats after a bad day on the courts. Speaking candidly about the cut-throat world of junior sport, Murray, 65, described a culture in which some parents' obsession with winning could create a toxic environment. Young tennis players would be allowed a McDonald's meal on the car journey home if they won, she said, but not if they lost. Speaking to a festival audience, Murray, the renowned tennis coach and mother of champions Andy and Jamie Murray, said: 'Andy played a lot of football when he was younger and really, while it was not all of the parents, always there were some who would run up and down the sidelines shouting instruction at their kids.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Nicola Sturgeon addresses lesbian affair rumours
Ms Sturgeon recounts how social media trolls claimed they were meeting for trysts in a house in Bridge of Allan formerly owned by Judy Murray, Sir Andy Murray's mother. Ms Sturgeon speculates that a 'Russian bot factory' might have invented the story and says that while she was irritated by people lying about her, the suggestion that she was in a gay relationship was 'water off a duck's back'. She writes: 'Long-term relationships with men have accounted for more than 30 years of my life, but I have never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary. Moreover, sexual relationships should be private matters.' Ms Sturgeon says that Ms Colonna was also aware of the rumours, which became so widespread that her family and friends were being asked about them in their local pub, while SNP politicians were asked about it on doorsteps. Peter Murrell, her husband, whom she is now divorcing, had been told about it by neighbours 'presumably thinking he had a right to know that his wife was having an affair'. Ms Sturgeon says that she and Ms Colonna were able to laugh about it when they met in public, including at the Cop27 climate conference in Egypt in 2020, where the two posed for a photograph together and 'trolled the trolls'. 'Deeply conflicted' The MSP for Glasgow Southside married in July 2010 and was aware that Mr Murrell, then chief executive of the SNP, was keen to have children. By October that year Ms Sturgeon was pregnant, and Mr Murrell was 'ecstatic' but she was 'deeply conflicted' because she had an election to fight the following year. She was worried about how the public would react to a candidate who would be six months pregnant by polling day, and about her own ability to cope with the rigours of an election campaign, and 'felt guilty about…not feeling happier about being pregnant'. The couple told their families on Christmas Day 2010, but on Dec 30 she noticed some bleeding and by New Year's Eve a scan confirmed that she had lost the baby. She carried on with a series of official appointments, 'in constant agony' and on Jan 4 2011 her pregnancy 'passed', she writes, and 'together, we flushed our 'baby' down the toilet'. Convinced she was going to have a girl, she had already decided to call it Isla Margaret, and 'will mourn her for the rest of my life'. Ms Sturgeon says that she and Mr Murrell agreed to try again for a baby, 'but I knew then that we had lost our one chance'. She suffered feelings of intense guilt afterwards, convinced that she had caused the miscarriage by worrying about the impact on the election, and 'that I was being punished for not wanting the baby enough'. Fundraising fraud Mr Murrell was arrested in April 2023 after Police Scotland launched an investigation into possible fundraising fraud in the SNP, and Ms Sturgeon was arrested in June the same year. Mr Murrell is currently awaiting trial after being charged with embezzlement last year, while Ms Sturgeon faces no further action.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
State of the Nation - The Insider: 'We don't have the strength in depth we'd like in golf but there are positives'
In June, Mail Sport published exclusive stories highlighting concerns over the future of two of the most popular sports in Scotland: tennis and rugby. And with the likes of Judy Murray raising the alarm, such warnings are impossible to ignore. In our new series, State of the Nation, our reporters turn the spotlight on some of the biggest sports in this country for a health check. We're not just looking for what's going wrong — it's important to highlight what's going right, as well. Here, we take a look at golf... When two young Scottish amateurs tee it up in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush this week, it will undoubtedly be the proudest moment of their fledgling careers thus far. All the more so given the manner in which Cameron Adam and Connor Graham had to fight and earn their spots. Both have been part of the college circuit in America, with left-hander Adam, 22, graduating from Northwestern in Chicago and Graham, 18, recently completing his first year at Texas Tech. But the pair retain strong links to their roots in Scotland. For a start, Adam is an ambassador for the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, with Graham fulfilling the same role for the Paul Lawrie Foundation. Adam, a member at Royal Burgess, secured his place at Portrush after winning the prestigious Open Amateur Series, the latest triumph on a stunning run of form over the past couple of years. Graham, meanwhile, came through a gruelling day of final qualifying at Dundonald, eventually prevailing over fellow Scot Paul O'Hara in a play-off in Ayrshire. It's going to be a huge week for the pair but both have already shown they have the talent and composure to take it all in their stride. For everyone connected with Scottish Golf, it will be a massive boost to see Adam and Graham flying the Saltire on the leaderboard at Portrush. There is also a very good crop of players coming through in the women's game, with Lorna McClymont and Hannah Darling helping Team GB&I win the Curtis Cup last year. The key is to ensure the pipeline is healthy enough for plenty more to follow in future, as Scotland looks to keep pace with other similar-sized countries around Europe. 'The standard is so high around other European countries,' said Clare Queen, a former player on the Ladies European Tour and now head of performance and pathway at Scottish Golf. 'The bar is being raised all the time, so it's important we continue to improve what we do so our young players understand the level required. 'In terms of numbers, we probably don't have the strength in depth we would like right now, albeit there are still loads of positive things happening. 'We do still have some really strong individuals coming through, especially over the last three or four years. But we want more kids coming through the pathway and pushing for a place in the national teams. 'We all love to see a Saltire up there on the leaderboard. With Cammy and Connor both going to The Open at Portrush, there's going to be loads of attention on them, but what an unbelievable experience it'll be for them. 'I think it's a Scottish thing where we always love to see our own people doing well. I am sure they will have aspirations of doing what Calum Scott did last year at Troon by winning the Silver Medal. 'We are the home of golf, but we are also still a relatively small country in terms of population. It's so important to have these guys coming through as role models. 'We do have some really talented players coming through at the moment, and we've seen a really good group establish themselves on tour over the past 10 years or so. 'Bob MacIntyre, Connor Syme, Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest — they all push each other and raise the bar among themselves. 'But, as an organisation, we always want to push on and try and achieve more. Success for us would be really increasing the volume of players — both male and female — who establish themselves on tour.' One of the key challenges facing Scottish Golf is helping players make that initial transition from amateur to professional and making sure they are ready. It's an issue which will face Adam and Graham in due course given the trajectory of their careers, but they have solid backing from the Gallacher and Lawrie foundations respectively. Queen added: 'Giving young boys and girls the opportunity to develop and progress in the game is something I'm passionate about. 'Over the past year or so, we have been doing a big review just to really try and assess where we're at. The pathway system is something we have been really keen to focus on. 'Ultimately, the aim is to strengthen and improve the pipeline of young players coming through. If we can find a more consistent approach, and a way of delivering more consistent opportunities, that will help.' Although they would like to retain their top talent and develop them at home, Scottish Golf would never discourage any young player from playing on the US college circuit if given the opportunity. On the path taken by Adam and Graham, as well as a few others, Queen added: 'We would never necessarily discourage anyone from playing college golf in the States. It's very much an individual thing — it's great for some players, not so great for others. With Cameron Adam and Connor Graham, they have both really thrived in the time they have been over there. 'They have both done exceptionally well in that environment, but it's not necessarily for everyone. We've seen other players in the past struggle to adapt, so it's about doing what's right for you. 'There's a human side to all of this. When you're 16 or 17, and you've got a chance to move to America, it's not the easiest thing to decide in terms of what's the right or wrong thing to do. It's a big call.'
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
State of the Nation: Scotland is the home of both golf and some gifted golfers ... but is the country's grassroots game making the cut?
In June, Mail Sport published exclusive stories highlighting concerns over the future of two of the most popular sports in Scotland: tennis and rugby. And with the likes of Judy Murray raising the alarm, such warnings are impossible to ignore. In our new series, State of the Nation, our reporters turn the spotlight on some of the biggest sports in this country for a health check. We're not just looking for what's going wrong — it's important to highlight what's going right, as well. Here, we take a look at golf... As the undisputed Home of Golf, Scotland will always enjoy a place at the game's top table. Boasting so many of the world's top courses, as well as a world-class talent in Robert MacIntyre, the professional game is in fairly rude health. That is reflected in the cast of global superstars who recently teed it up at The Renaissance for the Scottish Open. It's now an A-list tournament. Scotland can also boast several other winners on the DP World Tour in recent years, such as Ewen Ferguson, Connor Syme, Calum Hill and Grant Forrest. But what about the grassroots game? How many people are actually playing golf in Scotland? Is it affordable and accessible? What are the pressures facing golf clubs across the country and how is the sport reacting to the rise of virtual golf and simulators? Grassroots The biggest issue that golf faces centres around cost and accessibility. Quite simply, the game is now more expensive than ever due to the rising costs of equipment and memberships. If we are talking about the top brands and a full new set of clubs, you could easily spend £2,000. Even the budget options still set you back around £500. When you factor in the needs for shoes, balls and all the other equipment, it works out at the same as a monthly mortgage payment for a lot of people. A membership for the average private club can range from anywhere between £500-£1,000, which again, is simply unaffordable for many. This is what makes municipal golf courses so vitally important in Scotland. We need them now more than ever, with the pay-and-play option an increasingly popular choice ahead of an annual subscription. The growing popularity of simulator facilities and 'virtual golf', as well as futuristic driving ranges, are to be welcomed if they help drive interest in the sport. But these facilities also present a challenge in that they could detract people from playing out on the course. Golf is evolving and modernising. In terms of participation levels in Scotland, there are currently just over 210,000 registered playing members at 565 affiliated clubs across the country. That figure represented a slight increase on the previous year. Junior memberships spiked by 18 per cent last year to just under 26,000. That figure offsets slight drops in the number of adult and female memberships. Currently around 12 per cent of golf club members in Scotland are female, an area in which Scottish Golf recognise the chance to grow and develop. Finances Barring a select few elite courses, the vast majority of golf clubs across Scotland are struggling to make ends meet and keep their heads above water. The rise of 'virtual golf', as well as the issue of affordability, is becoming a big factor. At Scottish Golf's AGM last year, the report from the governing body said: 'There are a number of ongoing challenges faced by member clubs and the broader golf community. 'On the expenditure side, the organisation was impacted by a range of wider economic factors, including inflationary pressures and rising operational costs. 'Despite these challenges, the organisation has maintained its commitment to prudent financial management, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the delivery of strategic objectives and sustain long-term financial stability. 'The team at Scottish Golf remains acutely aware of the financial pressures impacting member clubs, particularly in the current economic climate. Rising operational costs and the changing dynamics of the golf industry require ongoing adaptability and collaboration.' Sadly, some clubs have already bitten the dust. Last year, Hirsel Golf Club and Torrance Park both closed, while a host of others announced they were struggling. Kirkcaldy Golf Club drew up emergency plans to survive, Scotscraig and Musselburgh both held EGMs over their futures and Craigie Hill submitted a planning application to reduce its holes from 18 to nine. The threat of closure has been hanging over some other Scottish venues in 2025. Dalmuir was one of the much-cherished municipal courses which looked to be on the brink after having its funding cut by West Dumbartonshire Council, but it was recently saved after plans for a new finance model would see it leased back to the local community. 'We know in recent times that the membership has reduced and golf clubs are struggling all over Scotland,' said councillor David McBride. 'Golf is a difficult and expensive sport to take up and quite often you are introduced to it by perhaps someone within the family, so I think having this at the heart of the community, who want to make sure it thrives, can only be a good thing and we will certainly see more young people playing golf.' Exposure This is where we need to start separating the amateur game from the professional ranks. There is obviously no TV deal to speak of, but there is definitely a greater level of funding and more pathways now than ever before for top amateurs and players looking to make their way in the pro ranks. Previously, exposure would rely predominantly on talent and an ability to secure sponsors. But there is far more help now. A lot of credit should go to the likes of Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher for the work they do with their foundations and offering a platform to players. Created by former Open champion Lawrie, the Tartan Pro Tour offers male and female players the chance to compete against each other and hone their skills on some of the top courses around the country. It is designed to serve as a stepping stone as they progress on to bigger and better things. Former Ryder Cup star Gallacher also has his own foundation aimed at promoting junior golf and has a state-of-the-art practice facility at Kingsfield. English star Justin Rose is another who puts plenty back into the game. Created along with his wife Kate, the Rose Ladies Series has been a fruitful avenue for Scottish players like Louise Duncan and Kelsey MacDonald in recent times. What's happening worldwide? Across the world, golf is a sport that's evolving and modernising. A recent PGA research report highlighted how golf in all its forms is growing and touches different sections of the community in different ways. A key finding of the report showed that 40 per cent of all adults in the UK and Ireland engage with golf in any capacity, equating to a huge community of 22.4million people. Of those 22.4m individuals, 16.3m are playing any form of golf — from adventure golf to pitch and putt — while 4.9m are playing golf out on the course. There is a huge opportunity for clubs to engage with new golfers from all backgrounds and encourage them along the pathway to golf club membership. According to a report released last year by the R&A, participation levels across the globe have increased by a third since 2016. Scandinavian countries, as well as Japan, Korea and China, have seen the sharpest rise. One of the core principles of amateur golf is that players are not paid even for winning top-level tournaments. Events such as The Amateur Championship, the US Amateur, and the World Amateur team Championship continue to go from strength to strength. In terms of Scottish professionals thriving at the top of the game, we are actually in good health at the moment. Bob MacIntyre is out on his own as the jewel in Scotland's crown. But there's also a crop of really good players just behind him. The likes of Ewen Ferguson, Connor Syme, Grant Forrest and Calum Hill have all won multiple times on the DP World Tour over recent years. While the golf in Scotland certainly isn't without its challenges at the amateur and grassroots levels, the reality is that we are still producing good young players. Future Cameron Adam and Connor Graham will play in this week's Open Championship and are two of the brightest young stars in the amateur game at present. Aidan Lawson from Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is also making big noises by competing at European and world level, and is not even 18 yet. If Scotland is to keep churning out top players, golf clubs across the country need to continue to make the game accessible and affordable to juniors. Especially with the rise of virtual golf and simulators, the sport needs to move with the times and recognise the challenge it faces. The future of the professional game is decidedly uncertain. After shaking up the established order when it was formed a couple of years ago, the future of LIV Golf is unclear, with several of its top players nearing the expiry of their initial contracts. Will the Saudis continue pumping money into a product which has failed to get off the ground in terms of wider interest and with no mainstream TV deal? What's clear is that golf is evolving. Traditional formats are being challenged, much like the way Twenty20 has revolutionised cricket over the past two decades. After dragging its heels for so long and being viewed as the preserve of the middle-class, golf is finally showing an ability to modernise itself and move with the times.
Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Meet Canadian coach who transformed Britain into doubles force
The singles hopes may have been consigned to a sole flag bearer in both draws, but men's doubles remains a remarkable arena of national dominance. Since 2020, at least one Briton has been crowned a grand-slam champion every year, and three of the top six seeds at Wimbledon train out of the LTA headquarters in Roehampton. Henry Patten won the Australian Open in January alongside Finland's Harri Heliovaara, Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash are aiming to complete a grass-court hat-trick, having already clinched titles at Eastbourne and the Queen's Club, while Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski are both former world No1s playing their first full season together as partners. The strength in depth is unmatched — seven of the world's top 40 are British. The mastermind behind much of that success is Louis Cayer, a Canadian former Davis Cup coach and captain. In 2006, Judy Murray was so impressed watching one of Cayer's coaching sessions that she hired him to work with her son, Jamie. Such was his immediate impact, Roger Draper, the LTA's chief executive at the time, decided to bring Cayer in-house the following year to transform the national approach to doubles. 'Mr Draper asked me to bring two players into the top 100. I don't think there'd been one since 2000,' Cayer says. 'I said I think I can do better.' Murray was inevitably the face of the programme and eventually won two grand-slam titles in 2016 (the Australian Open and US Open), but the cultural change was far broader. Ross Hutchins, Colin Fleming, James Auckland and Jamie Delgado all broke into the top 100. 'That was the first batch,' Cayer says. 'Then it was, let's break No50, then No20, and then Jamie became the first No1. Then, Neal and Joe became No1s in 2022. Now we have Henry [the world No3 at present] who is knocking on the door. It can go from generation to generation because all of the players use the same system.' Patten, the defending Wimbledon champion, describes the LTA set-up, which includes a dedicated team of physios and analysts, as 'the best in the world'. 'I know lots of players are very envious, including my own doubles partner,' he says. 'I feel very honoured to have been coached by Louis for a few years now. It really is pretty easy for me because I have so many great players around me. When you see them achieving — whether it's Joe's three US Opens or Neal's Wimbledon or Jamie's multiple, multiple titles — it helps you believe you can do it.' Patten credits those accolades to Cayer's coaching. 'If I had to pick one thing out that makes him so good, it's how quickly he sees the tiniest things that make a big difference. Other fantastic coaches can maybe spot them, but it takes them a lot longer,' he says. 'If you do five minutes on the court with Louis, he instantly sees four things. His eye for the game is like nothing I've ever seen.' It was a bold move by the LTA to hire a leading coach to focus on doubles alone, and Cayer admits the dearth of tactical knowledge back in 2007 was striking. 'I don't know how to say it to not look rude, but they didn't know how to play doubles,' he says. 'I asked them, 'What does it take to be a top player?' They said, 'Well, you hold your serve and break once.' Well, in that case, why were they not in the top ten? The serve and return is not the big secret to doubles.' Cayer's philosophy instead centres on the subtleties that would elude the untrained eye, particularly when it comes to the role of the non-serving or returning player. 'The position, the movement, what they should do to create mistakes by forcing people to hit low-percentage shots or to actually intercept,' he continues. 'It's more a culture of making [the opponents] lose. We're going to move a lot and mix up our play to create uncertainty. From uncertainty comes anxiety, which creates muscle tension and players start to lose their focus a bit, they get a bit angry, they play worse. It's not just making aces and hitting return winners. The players had to embrace that mentality.' When Skupski won Wimbledon alongside the Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof in 2023, Cayer actually 'banned' him from attempting aces. 'The game plan is why we can win 52 per cent of the points,' Cayer says. 'I removed the aspect of those who are perfectionist. Roger Federer won 54 per cent of the points in all his career, so it is the marginal things to break equality.' The results have been indisputable and although Britain's doubles players may only get a sliver of the limelight, many are enjoying lucrative careers instead of falling out of the game. Glasspool turned professional in 2015, but never played a match or earned a pound at ATP level. The 31-year-old retired from singles in 2019, but has now made more than £1.6million in doubles. 'As a kid you never really realise there is a path in professional tennis through the doubles route,' he says. 'I think it's all down to the culture that has been created.'
