Sir Andy Murray has announced his first-ever theatre tour as the tennis legend swaps the court for the stage as he embarks on the next phase of his career.
The two-time Wimbledon champion will take to the stage for four nights in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, fittingly concluding the show, called ‘Centre Stage’ just over one mile away from Centre Court at the end of June 2025.
Murray will be joined by BBC Sport commentator, and fellow Scotsman, Andrew Cotter as they reminisce about his illustrious career in which he won three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals.
The pair are to provide ‘new anecdotes and the innermost details’ of Murray’s life as a professional athlete to an intimate audience who will not be allowed access to their phones.
‘After this summer, I wanted to try some different things,’ said Murray. ‘I don’t think a tennis player has done anything like this before so it felt like a great challenge for me.
Sir Andy Murray has announced he will tour in theatres across the UK in June of next year
Murray retired from Tennis after a 19-year career following the Paris Olympics back in August
Murray will be joined by BBC commentator Andrew Cotter who he worked with back in 2018
‘I haven’t stepped on a tennis court for a long time, so hopefully my fans will enjoy seeing me in this new setting.’
Murray is now in the next chapter of his career after he put away his racquet for the final time as a professional following the Paris Olympics, three months ago, after a string of hip surgeries late in his career.
The dates of his show are set to coincide with the build-up to next year’s grass court season, a surface and period of time close to Murray’s heart.
Tickets will be hard to come by as small arenas have been chosen in order to provide an exclusive experience for those fortunate enough to attend.
Phones will be left at the door to stop the filming of the show, which Murray has revealed will allow him to feel more comfortable to open up.
‘Nowadays everyone’s got their phones out all of the time,’ Murray told British GQ. ‘Hopefully, the crowd interacts a little bit more with the show, but also with me.
‘I feel like I can be honest and open about things without the worry of someone recording something that you said and it blowing up.
‘I don’t want to be going in there every night stressing about saying something about a player that is said in jest that ends up meaning that I hate them.
The aim of the show is for his fans to get to know the true Murray through ‘new anecdotes’
Murray will cap-off the tour on the eve of Wimbledon just over a mile from Centre Court
‘The intention is not to be really controversial and get my name out there in that way, it’s to try to give an experience to fans that have followed me for a long time, that’s something fun and enjoyable to do.’
With the show aiming to provide an insight into Murray’s life touring the world as a successful tennis professional, talk of guest appearances have been discussed.
Murray has revealed that his brother Jamie may make a contribution, although nothing is set in stone.
‘We’ve spoken about potentially doing that on different nights,’ he continued. ‘Now that I’ve agreed to do it, I want the people coming to go away from it thinking “I’ve got my money’s worth” and to take something positive away from it.
‘When I’m doing it in Wimbledon, my brother lives just around the corner, he can give a different insight into my personality, what I’m like away from the spotlight, but there’s nothing agreed yet.’
In 2013, Murray etched his name in the record books by becoming the first male British Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry in 1936.
It was an emotional moment in his glittering career, however, Murray has confessed he is unsure which of his memories will be best to talk about on the tour.
Guests such as Murray’s brother Jamie may make a guest appearance but it is yet to be decided
Murray may talk about when he became the first male British Wimbledon champion since 1936
He added: ‘A lot of people talk to me about when I won Wimbledon the first time and what that meant for them, where they were, and how it made them feel.
‘Whereas for me, it was pure relief it was over and done. Things that might not be emotional to me are to other people, and stuff that is quite mundane and boring to me – because I’ve lived it my whole life – other people are interested to hear about.
‘So it’s hard to know what subjects or what emotions are going to come with certain topics.’
