Andy Murray’s father, William, has spoken candidly about the heartbreak caused by his divorce from Judy, admitting that the split left both him and his sons, Andy and Jamie, deeply distressed.
Speaking just before what could be Andy’s final tennis appearance at the Paris Olympics, William reflected on the impact their separation had on the boys. He revealed that breaking the news to them was agonizing, saying: “I had to tell them their mum was leaving home. It ripped me apart to have to hurt them in that way. They were distraught. Despite their different personalities, they both reacted in the same painful way.”
William and Judy married in 1980 and welcomed Jamie in 1986, followed by Andy in 1987. The couple divorced the same year Andy was born, after nearly a decade of separation. During that time, the boys lived with their father.
Although Judy has often been a visible presence courtside throughout her sons’ careers, William has largely stayed out of the spotlight. However, both Andy and Jamie have acknowledged the vital role he played in their upbringing and tennis journeys. In 2019, Jamie shared on Lorraine that while Judy often got public credit, William was equally important, handling much of the day-to-day parenting, from driving them to tournaments to washing and ironing their kits.
William remarried in 2016 to Sam Watson at Andy’s Cromlix House hotel in Dunblane. Reflecting on his role during his sons’ childhoods, he said: “I kept the family home and looked after them for the next four or five years. A lot of people don’t realise that, because the story is usually told differently. But the boys know the truth, and that’s what matters.”
Andy has previously admitted the separation was difficult for him, recalling in a 2007 interview with The Telegraph that he often felt torn between his parents. He described how Christmases were especially tough and confessed that what he wanted most was a more united family, even though he loved both parents dearly.
Despite the challenges of their upbringing, both Andy and Jamie went on to thrive in professional tennis. In 2013, William and Judy were even seen embracing at the Wimbledon Ball after Andy claimed his first title at the tournament.
Now, after winning three Grand Slams and two Olympic gold medals, 37-year-old Andy is nearing the end of his career. Competing in men’s doubles alongside Dan Evans in Paris, the pair pulled off a dramatic comeback in their opening match, saving five match points before winning a thrilling tie-break. They now prepare to face Belgian duo Sander Gillé and Joran Vliegen in the next round.
