Visit to DESS by Tennis star Andy Murray
2nd March 2008
The following press report comes from the Barclays Dubai tennis chamionships website at http://www.barclaysdubaitennischampionships.com.
Andy Murray is a Winner with Kids in Dubai
- British number one seed finds time for a school visit in between chasing Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships title -
Dubai, UAE, March 2nd, 2008: British tennis star Andy Murray delighted hundreds of school children today when he made a special visit to the Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) ahead of his first round match against world number one and reigning Dubai Champion Roger Federer.
The British number one happily answered questions for over 400 excited children when Dubai Duty Free, owners and organizers of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, arranged a special visit for the tennis star to DESS.
After a brief introduction from the school’s principal, children asked Murray questions about his life on and off court.“I was never very good at school, so tennis was an easy choice,” said the 20 year-old British number one.
“I come from a sporting family, my mum is the national tennis coach of Scotland and my brother Jamie is a very good tennis player as well,” Murray added.
Murray was also asked questions by the awe-striken school children about his off court pursuits and favourite overall sporting hero.
“I have a Nintendo Wii which I try to play as much as I can” said Murray. "I also follow other sports, particularly football and my sporting idol is Mohammad Ali. My tennis heroes growing-up were Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.”
The tennis star was also questioned about his most challenging match to date by the children, who had thoroughly researched the British number one.
“My most challenging match would have to be in the Australian Open last year against Nadal,” he said. "It went to 5-sets and although I lost, it was a great match.”
Headmaster David Hammond was particularly impressed with Murray and commented on his success and down-to earth attitude.
“Andy Murray is only 20 years old, but already has an impressive 5 singles titles to his name. We wish him the best of luck in his career and are very grateful that he visited DESS,” said Mr Hammond
“All staff were thrilled and I heard a little girl in Year 3 tell her mum ‘we had Andy Murray in school today,’ so the all the children were delighted to see their hero,” Hammond added.
The following press report comes from the The Independent Newspaper website
Murray faces daunting opener against Federer
By Paul Newman, Tennis Correspondentin Dubai
Monday, 3 March 2008Andy Murray visited the Dubai English Speaking School here yesterday morning, where he answered questions from a hall full of young children. Most wanted to know why he became a tennis player or how he liked to relax – they shrieked with delight when he said he loved playing on his Nintendo Wii – but one pupil wanted to know which opponent he feared most.
With Roger Federer probably uppermost in Murray's mind after he was drawn to play him today in the first round of the Barclays Dubai Championships, the Scot might have been expected to nominate the world No 1. He chose Rafael Nadal. "He gets to every ball, doesn't make many mistakes and tries to win every point," Murray said.
When asked what he thought was the best match he had played, Murray ignored his victory over Federer when they last met, in Cincinnati 18 months ago – the Swiss won their only previous meeting, in Bangkok in 2005 – and named his fourth-round encounter with Nadal in last year's Australian Open. "I lost in five sets, but I think it was the best match I've played in," he said.
Page updated 26/03/2008