Andy Murray, the celebrated British tennis player, has recently opened up about his relationship with his numerous trophies and Olympic medals. While he amassed an impressive total of 46 titles throughout his career, including three Grand Slam victories, two Olympic gold medals, and 14 Masters 1000 titles, his perspective on these accolades has evolved since his retirement over a year ago.
In a candid conversation on the Tennis Podcast, Murray, now 38, explained that he has become less protective of his Olympic medals. He even mentioned allowing his children to “scratch” them, indicating a shift in how he values these achievements. “I was quite precious about them in the beginning, but now I’m like, ‘Whatever, it’s fine,’” he stated.
Murray’s wife, Kim, has created a dedicated trophy cabinet in their home, which houses his impressive collection. “When we moved house, my wife made a trophy cabinet. It’s downstairs, out of the way, but yeah, there’s one in there,” he said. Despite the cabinet’s presence, Murray does not frequently revisit his trophies: “It’s not something that I think about loads.”
Changing Attitudes Towards Medals
Once a source of immense pride, his Olympic gold medals have taken on a more casual significance. The medals, which once remained on display at the Wimbledon museum, are now stored in the cabinet. “I actually got it back last week. It had been in there for, I think, about a year,” Murray shared. He noted that while he no longer wears them, his children enjoy playing with them. “My kids wear them sometimes, yeah. One of them wanted to take one of them into school, but we were like, no, that’s a bit much to send them in with one of them,” he recounted.
Interestingly, he offered them a participation medal from the Beijing Olympics instead, showcasing his relaxed attitude towards these significant awards.
Memories Beyond Medals
In addition to his medals, Murray has kept other cherished Olympic memorabilia, particularly the famous Olympic pins. He dedicated time to collect rare pins during his farewell tournament at the Paris 2024 Games. Reflecting on this experience, he expressed a hint of regret about the time spent pursuing these collectibles. “I’ve still got all of them, yeah. I’ve kept all of them. That was something that, at the time, I absolutely loved doing it every single Olympics,” he said. Yet, he now questions whether he spent too much time on this endeavor, laughing as he recalled his interactions with athletes from various nations while seeking out pins.
Murray’s relaxed attitude toward his accolades reflects a broader perspective on his career, embracing the joy of family and memories over the weight of past achievements. As he continues to navigate life after tennis, it seems that the legacy he cherishes most may not be measured in trophies or medals, but in the moments shared with his family.
