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Judy Murray reveals the secrets of keeping Andy Murray focused
Jack Lefley and Shekhar Bhatia03.07.09
As Andy Murray prepared for today's Centre Court showdown his mother revealed how those closest to him help keep his quest for Wimbledon glory on track.
The number three seed is hoping to become the first British man to reach the final since Henry "Bunny" Austin in 1938. And should he overcome American Andy Roddick to reach Sunday's men's final he would have a shot at becoming the first British man to take the title since Fred Perry in 1936.
But his mother told today how she and his girlfriend, Kim Sears, help keep his life as normal as possible as he concentrates on making history.
Her comments come as amid a flurry of comparisons between Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, and his girlfriend Ms Sears and Roddick's wife Brooklyn Decker, who will both be in centre Court today cheering on their partners.
Judy Murray has been living with the couple during the Championships and helping Sussex University student Kim, 21, attend to his every need.
She said: "We actually have a lot of family around - his dad, his granny and grandpa, his uncles and aunts are all here - but they're not staying in the house.
"The best thing for him is that being in the house he doesn't have to worry about anything.
"Between Kim and I we can cover everything, eating-wise, washing-wise and the rest of it."
She added: "You just keep on top of what needs to be done. He actually throws a lot of his stuff away to the crowd.
"I've said to him: 'Be careful with the match shirts, you've only got about six new ones left.'"
His mother and girlfriend have been regulars in the player's box on Centre Court during his matches and the cameras have often focused on Judy as she gives her son vocal support.
She says she is more concerned with backing her son than how she appears to the millions watching at home.
She said: "I don't like talking when I watch matches. I like to just sit, which is why I always sit in the corner, so that there's nobody on one side of me.
"I have Kim on the other side, but she doesn't say much either. She's a very good supporter.
"She knows when is the right time to shout, when to stay quiet, when it's time to just do something reassuring or when it's time to shout 'Come on!' and really get up.
"You never know when they're [television cameras] on you. I haven't watched any of the matches on TV, but a lot of my friends have been saying that during the Wawrinka match in particular I was getting an awful lot of air time. But I would never change my behaviour because I thought there was a camera on me."
One of the secrets of Murray's recent success has been the tight circle of family and coaches he has surrounded himself with, including coach Miles Maclagan and trainer Matt Little.
Judy said: "Most players will do it. They just look up for a little reassurance and a friendly face. You get a bit of encouragement and it helps.
"You won't hear Miles saying too much.
"Andy says that of all of us, the only one he generally hears is Matt Little. He has a good positive roar. He's probably the loudest."
Judy admits that the amount of energy she puts into supporting Murray and his older brother, Jamie, is wearing.
"I was so excited during the Wawrinka match and so relieved that he had managed to get through.
"I put a lot of emotion into my supporting. It's just the way that I am.
"It means I'm always shattered at the end of a tight match. The Wawrinka match nearly sent me to an early grave."
Judy also ensured a last crucial member of Team Murray - his border terrier, Maggie - received a mention.
She said: "This morning, Kim went out to the shops and Andy wanted to be woken up at 9.15. I just opened the door of his bedroom and sent the dog in. She just tanks up and launches herself on the bed. She's under the covers and he's loving it. "
