Murray: ‘Dad Was Throwing Balls To Me Out Of A Shopping Bag’

Back in 2003, a then-16-year-old Andy Murray made his ATP Challenger Tour debut when he competed in Manchester. Since then, the Scot has gone on to reach the pinnacle of the game. He has risen to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and lifted 46 tour-level titles, including 14 ATP Masters 1000 crowns and three Grand Slams.

This week, the Scot is once game competing on the ATP Challenger Tour, advancing to the semi-finals in Aix en Provence in France. While at the Challenger 175, Murray took time to reminisce on his early Challenger Tour days.

A launching pad to greatness 🏆🥇@andy_murray takes a stroll down Challenger memory lane 🤔#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/oYDuxC728A

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 5, 2023

“My first memories of playing on the Challenger Tour were in Manchester,” Murray said. “I played a grass-court challenger there and I had my dad there as my tennis coach. He is not a tennis player or a coach but he was there with me.

“I remember being unbelievably shy. I didn’t ask anyone to warm up with me before my match, so I had my dad throwing balls to me out of a shopping bag and I ended up actually getting a couple of good wins there.”

Armed with a full support team today, Murray will aim to win his third ATP Challenger Tour title and first since 2005 this weekend in France.