Tennis star Andy Murray yesterday revealed the secret behind his Australian success - daily briefings from his girlfriend back home on the adventures of his dog.
If he beats Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open today, 23-year-old Murray will become Britain’s first men’s winner of a Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry 75 years ago.
And he told The Mail on Sunday that both his girlfriend Kim Sears and the other woman in his life – his border terrier Maggie – have played their part in his stunning run by soothing his nerves.
He revealed: ‘I speak to Kim every day. We try not to talk about tennis if possible. I like to know about Maggie, what’s going on. All stuff that has nothing to do with tennis, really.’
A newspaper story mischievously suggested yesterday that while Kim remained at their Surrey home and Andy was in Australia, a ‘new blonde’ was cheering him on in Melbourne – 20-year-old Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
Ms Wozniacki watched his semi-final as a guest of Adidas, who sponsor both players. And she explained she wanted to watch more men’s matches ‘as I have to toughen up my game’.
Murray’s romance with Kim, also 23, has been an on-off affair and the subject of much speculation but yesterday Murray’s father made it clear how his son felt about her.
‘I think Kim’s really good for Andy,’ said Will Murray, who is divorced from the player’s mother, Judy. ‘She’s not interested in fame and she’s definitely not a WAG. Kim is Andy’s first serious love.
‘With the amount of time he is away, perhaps they were bound to have had some problems, but it’s good for him that she’s back in his life. She has a great sense of humour, and she is a confident young lady. I have a lot of time for her.’
Fox in the box: Caroline Wozniacki was a guest of Adidas with Murray's family and friends during his semi-final win
Kim reignited her romance with Murray last spring. They had broken up in November 2009 after four years together.
Kim has an English degree from Sussex University and is determined to carve out a career for herself rather than follow Murray from tournament to tournament around the world.
She shuns the limelight and while she is seen in the courtside box of her boyfriend on Centre Court during Wimbledon, she has never publicly spoken of her romance with Murray.
Last night, a source close to Murray said: ‘Kim will watch the final from Andy’s home with friends. She is currently exploring her new career options, and painting.’
Kim will be among an armchair audience of millions watching Murray try to emulate the success of England’s Ashes-winning cricketers in this memorable summer for British sportsmen Down Under.
Another spectator could well be Prime Minister David Cameron, who played tennis with Murray inside No 10 Downing Street when the world’s top stars were invited to tea in November.
Words of support: Prime Minister David Cameron has sent a message to the Scot ahead of his final clash on Sunday
Last night Mr Cameron sent him a good-luck message saying: ‘You have played incredibly well to reach the final for the second year running, and everyone back at home is very proud of you. We’ll all be cheering you on.’
Judy Murray said Cameron’s note was coloured by a touch of self-deprecating humour. ‘The PM added that he hoped the volley drills they did together in the No 10 dining room will come in useful,’ she said.
Former British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, meanwhile, said Murray was ‘guaranteed a knighthood’ if he wins. ‘He’d be mightily embarrassed, but how could such an achievement be overlooked?’ Lloyd said.
Roaring success: Murray can become the first Briton to win a Grand Slam in more than 70 years
Murray is playing for a £1.4 million winner’s cheque this morning. Bonus payments from sponsors Adidas and Head could increase his earnings by another £2 million.
Yet for a man already worth an estimated £30 million the money on offer pales into insignificance compared with the prize at stake.
‘It has always been a dream of mine to win a major championship,’ said Murray, who was No 5 in the world before the Australian Open. ‘I am not thinking about the historical relevance to the final – I am just thinking of making the most of the opportunity.’
Murray will return home to be met by Kim – and Maggie – on Tuesday, hopefully in possession of the trophy that will make him one of the greats of British sport.
Source:Dailymail