Andy Murray Q&A

With an athlete’s constant pursuit of the next performance being the best, how do you nurture and keep this growth mindset?

My approach to training and matches has always been the same, I make sure I give 100%. I’m continually looking for things to improve on and off the court, as an athlete that’s vital.

When preparing for training are there steps you take to prepare your mind?

Being clear on what you are trying to achieve and making it measurable so you can track progress is key. Before each session I’ll review previous stats or notes around similar sessions to make sure I’m working as effectively as possible, it’s important to have goals and steps to reach them.

Away from maintaining your physical health, what steps do you take to maintain good mental health and how do you cope with the ups and downs of a demanding schedule?

For me it’s about being intentional with my downtime, I try really hard to be as present as I can be on my off days, which means I spend less time working on and thinking about tennis and more time with my children and family. Life is about balance, and the tennis season is one of the busiest schedules in sport, so enabling myself to switch off at the right time is crucial for me in maintaining good mental health.

How important is it to create a balance between training and everyday life?

Really important, in fact it is one of the most important elements of being a professional athlete! Rest is key and something I maybe didn’t do enough of in the early part of my career.  It’s not easy to reach the top of a sport, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, so knowing when to rest and recuperate is vital and it will lead to more productive sessions when you do train and a longer career.

What does Better Never Stops mean to you?

Better Never Stops to me means that we are never the finished article. There is always something we can improve and that applies to everyone