Reminder: Andy Murray and dad Will with Kim Sears and their dog Maggie in 2008She was the rock by his side at every major tournament, a firm fixture on the tennis circuit as she cheered on her boyfriend through good times and bad.
But as Andy Murray faced Roger Federer in the Australian Open final today, former sweetheart Kim Sears remained 10,000 miles away in the UK - her absence leaving a notable gap in the Team Andy camp.
Instead of taking her seat next to Murray’s mother Judy, the stunning student was left – like Murray’s legions of adoring fans - following the match on TV
And yesterday Murray’s family admitted there was still ‘sadness’ about the break-up, which saw the 21-year-old move out of the player’s £5million Surrey mansion two months ago.
However, Miss Sears has been gifted a living legacy from the four-year relationship – in the form of the couple’s cherished terrier, Maggie.
As the star prepared to take on world No1 Federer this morning, his father Will revealed that Miss Sears had received ‘custody’ of the dog, which the couple were regularly pictured walking. However, in a statement that appears to kill any reconciliation, Will said his son was feeling ‘really good’ about his personal and sporting life.
Speaking as Murray attempted to become the first British male to win a Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry 74 years ago, Mr Murray said: ‘It was very sad because she is a lovely girl and I enjoyed her company. But the only people who know the reasons for the separation are Andy and Kim.’
He added: ‘Andy is in a position now where he feels good about himself and his tennis. He wants to play Federer and beat him.
Flying the flag: Andy Murray draped in a Union Jack flag in Melbourne yesterday‘He amazes me with his strength and focus. He has put in so much hard work, years of it, and it would be the icing on the cake for him if he can pull this one off. It will be huge for Andy if he does and, if there are any doubters out there still about his ability, I think this should silence them. Andy is the real deal and not a fly-by-night.’
Some reports suggested that Miss Sears had grown increasingly frustrated by Murray’s apparent obsession with his PlayStation 3, on which he was said to spend up to seven hours a day playing games.
His PR agent did nothing to quell such suggestions when, days after the break-up, he told journalists there would be ‘no questions about Kim, his dog or gaming’.
However, some have suggested the split may have been to help Murray focus for his date with destiny in Australia. Earlier this month Murray, who has an estimated fortune of £12million, hinted as much and claimed he had benefited from taking ‘less people’ on tour.
He said: ‘I have to make sure everyone who is here has a job to do. It is just a little calmer. When we go out for dinner, it’s not tables for ten, it’s tables for five or six.’
Part of this preparation included spending Christmas and New Year in America with just his coach.
But the one woman he is unlikely to ever drop from Team Andy is his omnipresent tennis coach mother Judy, 50, with whom he has chosen to share a flat in Melbourne.
The pair share a powerful bond but Mrs Murray was reportedly fond of the privately educated Miss Sears. She had the right
pedigree -- the daughter of Nigel Sears, 51, the head of women’s tennis in Britain, who grew up in an £800,000 detached home in Barcombe, East Sussex, complete with tennis court.
She was aware of the pressures young players are put under but, like her ex-boyfriend’s mother, she would also have been aware that, in the end, the sport comes first.
But acknowledging the start of a new dawn for his son, Mr Murray – who separated from Judy when Andy was ten – paid tribute to his ‘extraordinary single-mindedness’ and revealed that he planned to celebrate a win with a parachute jump.
‘I think he’s told the whole of Team Andy they are jumping with him if he wins. As much as I want him to win his first Grand Slam, my first reaction to the news of the jump was: “Andy, please don’t.”’
source: dailymail
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