Andy Murray’s dad tells all on tough split from ex-wife Judy as Scots star faces last match

Andy Murray’s rarely-seen father has clarified the details surrounding his ‘devastating’ divorce from ex-wife, Judy.

As his son, aged 37, competes in what could potentially be his final professional tennis match at the Paris Olympics today, William will undoubtedly be brimming with pride.

However, unlike Andy’s mum Judy, 64, who is a constant presence at every match, the Scot prefers to maintain a low profile.

The former couple tied the knot in 1980 and had two children – Jamie in 1986 and Andy a year later in 1987. They divorced in 2005 after a nine-year separation, with the boys living with their father, the Mirror reports.

William revealed that both Andy and Jamie were deeply affected by the divorce news, sharing: “I had to tell them that their mum was leaving home. It ripped me apart to have to hurt them by telling them what I did. They were distraught. They are very different personalities but they took the news much the same way.”

Despite public perception suggesting that Andy and Jamie are closer to Judy, who is frequently photographed with the medal-winning duo at court side, the brothers lived with their father for several years following the divorce.

In an interview with the Record, William, who wed Sam Watson in 2016, stated he “kept the family home and looked after them for the next four or five years.”

He added: “A lot of people don’t realise that because the story isn’t portrayed that way. That’s fine by me because the boys know exactly what happened.”

Andy Murray has candidly revealed the ‘painful’ details of his parent’s separation, admitting that they weren’t exactly amicable post-split.

Speaking to The Telegraph back in 2007, Andy recalled, “They didn’t speak too much and they didn’t get on too well together… they are just two different people.”

The tennis star detailed the emotional turmoil he faced as a child trying to balance his time between both parents and getting caught in their disputes.

He recalled: “If I stayed with my mother for two nights, then I felt I should stay with my father for two nights. At Christmas I didn’t know how long to spend with each of them.

“I would get stuck in the middle of their arguments. I would get really upset, and one of the things I would have loved to have more than anything was a family that worked better together, although I love my mother and father to bits.”

However, in a twist of good fortune, it appears that Andy’s success on the tennis court helped to thaw the frosty relations between his parents.

In a heartwarming display, they came together in a hug at the Wimbledon Ball in 2013 after he secured his inaugural Wimbledon win.

Looking ahead 11 years, Murray who has bagged two Olympic gold medals is eyeing what might be his professional swansong at the Paris Olympics.

Andy Murray has confessed that his remarkable Olympic doubles victory is “probably up there” with the finest moments of his illustrious career, which is set to conclude in Paris.

In what was his final tennis tournament, the father of four appeared to be on the brink of defeat when Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel secured five match points.

However, the British duo astonishingly rallied to win seven consecutive points, clinching the decisive tie-break 11-9.

Reacting to the nail-biting match, his mother Judy Murray admitted: “I was working out which flight to get home tonight. But you can never write him off.”

Andy Murray’s rarely-seen father has clarified the details surrounding his ‘devastating’ divorce from ex-wife, Judy.

As his son, aged 37, competes in what could potentially be his final professional tennis match at the Paris Olympics today, William will undoubtedly be brimming with pride.

However, unlike Andy’s mum Judy, 64, who is a constant presence at every match, the Scot prefers to maintain a low profile.

The former couple tied the knot in 1980 and had two children – Jamie in 1986 and Andy a year later in 1987. They divorced in 2005 after a nine-year separation, with the boys living with their father, the Mirror reports.

William revealed that both Andy and Jamie were deeply affected by the divorce news, sharing: “I had to tell them that their mum was leaving home. It ripped me apart to have to hurt them by telling them what I did. They were distraught. They are very different personalities but they took the news much the same way.”

Despite public perception suggesting that Andy and Jamie are closer to Judy, who is frequently photographed with the medal-winning duo at court side, the brothers lived with their father for several years following the divorce.

In an interview with the Record, William, who wed Sam Watson in 2016, stated he “kept the family home and looked after them for the next four or five years.”

He added: “A lot of people don’t realise that because the story isn’t portrayed that way. That’s fine by me because the boys know exactly what happened.”

Andy Murray has candidly revealed the ‘painful’ details of his parent’s separation, admitting that they weren’t exactly amicable post-split.

Speaking to The Telegraph back in 2007, Andy recalled, “They didn’t speak too much and they didn’t get on too well together… they are just two different people.”

The tennis star detailed the emotional turmoil he faced as a child trying to balance his time between both parents and getting caught in their disputes.

He recalled: “If I stayed with my mother for two nights, then I felt I should stay with my father for two nights. At Christmas I didn’t know how long to spend with each of them.

“I would get stuck in the middle of their arguments. I would get really upset, and one of the things I would have loved to have more than anything was a family that worked better together, although I love my mother and father to bits.”

However, in a twist of good fortune, it appears that Andy’s success on the tennis court helped to thaw the frosty relations between his parents.

In a heartwarming display, they came together in a hug at the Wimbledon Ball in 2013 after he secured his inaugural Wimbledon win.

Looking ahead 11 years, Murray who has bagged two Olympic gold medals is eyeing what might be his professional swansong at the Paris Olympics.

Andy Murray has confessed that his remarkable Olympic doubles victory is “probably up there” with the finest moments of his illustrious career, which is set to conclude in Paris.

In what was his final tennis tournament, the father of four appeared to be on the brink of defeat when Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel secured five match points.

However, the British duo astonishingly rallied to win seven consecutive points, clinching the decisive tie-break 11-9.

Reacting to the nail-biting match, his mother Judy Murray admitted: “I was working out which flight to get home tonight. But you can never write him off.”