Andy Murray had some bad news when it came to a gift his wife bought him
Andy Murray has confessed he never touches the snooker table his wife purchased to celebrate his tennis achievements.
It’s been more than a year since the Scot hung up his racket, with his final match taking place at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the doubles competition alongside Dan Evans.
Since calling time on his court career, the 38-year-old has thrown himself into golf but disclosed during a guest spot on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips YouTube channel that he was a keen snooker enthusiast whilst still competing in tennis. It was particularly during the pinnacle year of his career in 2016 that Murray frequently wielded a cue.
That remarkable year saw Murray’s relentless effort and commitment bear fruit as he claimed Wimbledon, secured Olympic gold for the second occasion, and wrapped up his season as ATP Tour Finals champion to cement his position as the year-end world No. 1.
He also bagged six ATP Tour tournament triumphs that year, with three of those being Masters 1000 competitions. It was during this period of court dominance that Murray was consistently playing snooker, prompting his wife Kim Sears to purchase him a table for their home.
Chatting to one of snooker’s legendary figures in Hendry, he revealed to his fellow Scot: “I have a snooker table at home” before confessing the table has been collecting dust. “It doesn’t get any use,” Murray acknowledged when questioned about how much time he devotes to it.
“I went through a period where I was playing a lot of snooker,” he continued. “I played a lot in 2016 and I finished number one in the world that year and I came home from the last match of the year and my wife bought me a snooker table to say well done.”
Murray revealed that his hectic domestic routine, caring for his four youngsters, has made it challenging to pursue his snooker pastime. “I had a pool table in the house at that stage so she removed the pool table. We still have it in the house but it doesn’t get used anymore. I can’t go down there and I don’t want the kids to mess it up.”
Whilst he’s been unable to keep up with snooker, it stands in stark contrast to Murray’s involvement with golf. Having taken part in numerous competitions this year, his increased engagement with the sport sparked speculation that he might try to qualify for The Open Championship next year – claims Murray swiftly dismissed.
“I don’t have ambitions of playing in The Open,” he stated earlier this year. “I want to try and play in the regional qualifying at some stage. A couple of my friends have done it. It would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that.
“I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open. I’m fully aware of how good the players that play in those events are and how good the pros are in comparison to amateurs. Even guys that play off two or three are miles off what these guys on the Tour are doing.”