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Knowing the Score: My Family and Our Tennis Story
The Sunday Times bestseller
Judy Murray provides the ultimate insight into life with her tennis champion sons Andy and Jamie.
What happens when you find you have exceptional children?
Do you panic? Put your head in the sand? Or risk everything and jump in head first?
As mother to tennis champions Jamie and Andy Murray, Scottish National Coach, coach of the Fed Cup, and general all-round can-do woman of wonder, Judy Murray is the ultimate role model for believing in yourself and reaching out to ambition. As a parent, coach, leader, she is an inspiration who has revolutionised British tennis.
From the soggy community courts of Dunblane to the white heat of Centre Court at Wimbledon, Judy Murray’s extraordinary memoir charts the challenges she has faced, from desperate finances and growing pains to entrenched sexism.
We all need a story of ‘yes we can’ to make us believe great things are possible. This is that story.
Judy Murray provides the ultimate insight into life with her tennis champion sons Andy and Jamie.
What happens when you find you have exceptional children?
Do you panic? Put your head in the sand? Or risk everything and jump in head first?
As mother to tennis champions Jamie and Andy Murray, Scottish National Coach, coach of the Fed Cup, and general all-round can-do woman of wonder, Judy Murray is the ultimate role model for believing in yourself and reaching out to ambition. As a parent, coach, leader, she is an inspiration who has revolutionised British tennis.
From the soggy community courts of Dunblane to the white heat of Centre Court at Wimbledon, Judy Murray’s extraordinary memoir charts the challenges she has faced, from desperate finances and growing pains to entrenched sexism.
We all need a story of ‘yes we can’ to make us believe great things are possible. This is that story.
268 pages, ebook
Published June 15, 2017
59 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Judy Murray
9 books9 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See also Judy L. Murray and Judy Murray.
Judy Murray is a Scottish tennis coach and former tennis player. She was the first coach of her sons, professional tennis players Jamie Murray and Andy Murray.
Judy Murray is a Scottish tennis coach and former tennis player. She was the first coach of her sons, professional tennis players Jamie Murray and Andy Murray.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 15, 2019
I know nothing about tennis - to the extent I cannot even ever remember playing it myself at school. This book was simply something I picked this up on a very rushed visit to the library.
Well, Judy Murray is the mom of the famous Scottish players Andy and Jamie, and she opened up a whole new world for me. She is also an incredibly competent tennis coach, and the book teaches us a lot about her profession, the slow growth of tennis as a popular sport in Scotland, her struggle to succeed as a female coach, and the massive demands of being mother to two top tennis players. Not least in terms of expense. At the very top a tennis player requires a personal coach, nutritionists and physiotherapists. There is also a fantastic amount of travelling, with air fares and hotel expenses. So added to all her other skills, Judy also had to be a massively determined fundraiser, in order to get help financing her sons' training.
The story follows a wonderful rise to success for all of them - Judy, Andy and Jamie. Judy as a coach, and Andy and Jamie as players.
Judy comes across as a a loving mom, but also a hugely ambitious one. She too had played competitive tennis when younger, and she wanted the best for her sons. She doesn't seem controlling, but rather incredibly supportive, and working incredibly hard to clear the path for them to succeed....
Finally, we had a lovely interlude where she danced in the incredibly popular television series "Strictly Come Dancing." She wasn't a great dancer, but public votes kept her in the competition right up the finale in Blackpool, which says a lot of her popularity in the eyes of the general public.
I still can't believe that I enjoyed this book to the extent that I did. A must for tennis fans, but also a lot of fun for those of us who know nothing about it.
Well, Judy Murray is the mom of the famous Scottish players Andy and Jamie, and she opened up a whole new world for me. She is also an incredibly competent tennis coach, and the book teaches us a lot about her profession, the slow growth of tennis as a popular sport in Scotland, her struggle to succeed as a female coach, and the massive demands of being mother to two top tennis players. Not least in terms of expense. At the very top a tennis player requires a personal coach, nutritionists and physiotherapists. There is also a fantastic amount of travelling, with air fares and hotel expenses. So added to all her other skills, Judy also had to be a massively determined fundraiser, in order to get help financing her sons' training.
The story follows a wonderful rise to success for all of them - Judy, Andy and Jamie. Judy as a coach, and Andy and Jamie as players.
Judy comes across as a a loving mom, but also a hugely ambitious one. She too had played competitive tennis when younger, and she wanted the best for her sons. She doesn't seem controlling, but rather incredibly supportive, and working incredibly hard to clear the path for them to succeed....
Finally, we had a lovely interlude where she danced in the incredibly popular television series "Strictly Come Dancing." She wasn't a great dancer, but public votes kept her in the competition right up the finale in Blackpool, which says a lot of her popularity in the eyes of the general public.
I still can't believe that I enjoyed this book to the extent that I did. A must for tennis fans, but also a lot of fun for those of us who know nothing about it.
October 19, 2022
Judy Murray provides the ultimate insight into life with her tennis champion sons Andy and Jamie.
What happens when you find you have exceptional children?
Do you panic? Put your head in the sand? Or risk everything and jump in head first?
As mother to tennis champions Jamie and Andy Murray, Scottish National Coach, coach of the Fed Cup, and general all-round can-do woman of wonder, Judy Murray is the ultimate role model for believing in yourself and reaching out to ambition. As a parent, coach, leader, she is an inspiration who has revolutionised British tennis.
From the soggy community courts of Dunblane to the white heat of Centre Court at Wimbledon, Judy Murray’s extraordinary memoir charts the challenges she has faced, from desperate finances and growing pains to entrenched sexism.
We all need a story of ‘yes we can’ to make us believe great things are possible. This is that story.
Yes this is the story, my eyes were opened by this book, I know the life as a tennis player, and life as a tennis coach, in many tennis committees . Coached many times in awful conditions, spent many years playing for Jersey in competitions.
Now reading this book I understand the hardship, the travelling, the finance battles, the difficult choices that have to be made, the lack of support for female coaches, the respect they should have.
Understanding that just for Judy to be at Wimbledon could be very difficult, the press, the photographers, the comments in daily papers. Judy was just a mum supporting her children.
Battling her whole life for her work, her sons, their tennis, forever finding and digging deep for finance support. Gaining her own confidence especially in public, her work on Strictly and much more.
Love tennis, you will love this book. Powerful story told with honesty
What happens when you find you have exceptional children?
Do you panic? Put your head in the sand? Or risk everything and jump in head first?
As mother to tennis champions Jamie and Andy Murray, Scottish National Coach, coach of the Fed Cup, and general all-round can-do woman of wonder, Judy Murray is the ultimate role model for believing in yourself and reaching out to ambition. As a parent, coach, leader, she is an inspiration who has revolutionised British tennis.
From the soggy community courts of Dunblane to the white heat of Centre Court at Wimbledon, Judy Murray’s extraordinary memoir charts the challenges she has faced, from desperate finances and growing pains to entrenched sexism.
We all need a story of ‘yes we can’ to make us believe great things are possible. This is that story.
Yes this is the story, my eyes were opened by this book, I know the life as a tennis player, and life as a tennis coach, in many tennis committees . Coached many times in awful conditions, spent many years playing for Jersey in competitions.
Now reading this book I understand the hardship, the travelling, the finance battles, the difficult choices that have to be made, the lack of support for female coaches, the respect they should have.
Understanding that just for Judy to be at Wimbledon could be very difficult, the press, the photographers, the comments in daily papers. Judy was just a mum supporting her children.
Battling her whole life for her work, her sons, their tennis, forever finding and digging deep for finance support. Gaining her own confidence especially in public, her work on Strictly and much more.
Love tennis, you will love this book. Powerful story told with honesty
May 23, 2018
So this is the story of the woman behind Andy and Jamie Murray. To me (before I read this), that’s all she was. I didn’t know anything other than seeing her courtside watching her sons playing competitive tennis. The more I read, the more I came to realise she’s not just a supportive mum who wore a poker face courtside.
Obviously the book starts at the beginning where Mrs Murray talks about her childhood with her tennis loving mother and sporty father. She grew up with tennis in her life and she played tennis through her childhood and teenage years becoming Scotland number 1. It moves onto her development of junior tennis in the community of Dunblane, her appointment as Scottish National Coach, and beyond into the careers of Andy and Jamie and the struggles this brought.
This book told me about a woman with buckets of determination, a woman trying to break into a man’s world, fighting to break the mould created within the tennis world. Its not just a man’s world, it’s an insight to the lack of ambition that once inhibited the sport. I can totally understand where the Murray boys get their drive from. They had a passion from an early age. They saw the tenacity of their mum, the “can do” attitude, not to mention the competitiveness between two brothers “If my big brother can do it, so can I…”
But Knowing The Score isn’t just about tennis. Mrs Murray talks about the Dunblane shootings and how it affected her, how it was to get that call. For me, I would fall apart if I were faced with that situation. And then there is Strictly, her foray into sequins and sparkle and the lasting relationships she made as part of the show.
It’s a very different book for me as a crime fiction fan but I am really glad I’ve read it. I found it easy to read, I suppose the word is uncomplicated. It felt like a narrated drama or documentary, written like she’s talking to me.
The one thing I like about the autobiographies and memoirs I’ve read is the interspersed photographs from the family albums and Judy Murray’s choices are no different. They go back to her early childhood all the way up to recent years with the success of her sons.
I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting such an insight into a mother’s life who has done probably everything for everyone else. The book shows how much she has done for others, whether it’s her two sons which she gave up masses for, the children in and around Dunblane, for children in Scotland or for women’s tennis. It’s a real eye opener if you’re like me and don’t know the full Judy Murray story. And I’d highly recommend it for any tennis fan!
Obviously the book starts at the beginning where Mrs Murray talks about her childhood with her tennis loving mother and sporty father. She grew up with tennis in her life and she played tennis through her childhood and teenage years becoming Scotland number 1. It moves onto her development of junior tennis in the community of Dunblane, her appointment as Scottish National Coach, and beyond into the careers of Andy and Jamie and the struggles this brought.
This book told me about a woman with buckets of determination, a woman trying to break into a man’s world, fighting to break the mould created within the tennis world. Its not just a man’s world, it’s an insight to the lack of ambition that once inhibited the sport. I can totally understand where the Murray boys get their drive from. They had a passion from an early age. They saw the tenacity of their mum, the “can do” attitude, not to mention the competitiveness between two brothers “If my big brother can do it, so can I…”
But Knowing The Score isn’t just about tennis. Mrs Murray talks about the Dunblane shootings and how it affected her, how it was to get that call. For me, I would fall apart if I were faced with that situation. And then there is Strictly, her foray into sequins and sparkle and the lasting relationships she made as part of the show.
It’s a very different book for me as a crime fiction fan but I am really glad I’ve read it. I found it easy to read, I suppose the word is uncomplicated. It felt like a narrated drama or documentary, written like she’s talking to me.
The one thing I like about the autobiographies and memoirs I’ve read is the interspersed photographs from the family albums and Judy Murray’s choices are no different. They go back to her early childhood all the way up to recent years with the success of her sons.
I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting such an insight into a mother’s life who has done probably everything for everyone else. The book shows how much she has done for others, whether it’s her two sons which she gave up masses for, the children in and around Dunblane, for children in Scotland or for women’s tennis. It’s a real eye opener if you’re like me and don’t know the full Judy Murray story. And I’d highly recommend it for any tennis fan!
May 11, 2020
Lovely lady but the story was just not interesting enough!
May 10, 2018
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This book was a complete delight for me to read, it is brilliantly written, easy to follow and I loved finding out more about the Murray's and their story!
From a relatively young age I have watched tennis with my mum at home on the TV, she watches all matches from the Grand Slams, to the Davis Cup, the Olympic matches to the ATP and WTA tours - generally if it is on the TV she will find it and watch it and I find it fascinating - I can't play it myself for toffee but the skills the players have are superb - so when I was approached and asked if I would consider reading this book I absolutely jumped at the chance and I read it as soon as the copy arrived!
Most people who follow tennis have heard the basic story about Judy, Jamie and Andy but this books tells us so much more and I was hooked, I read the book in a few hours. This is the real story about how hard it was for Judy at times. She is a remarkable woman and a brilliant role model. The book is very honest when it needs to be and it shows how hard she has had to work and the determination she has had to succeed.
No hesitation in giving the book 5 stars - it is a fantastic autobiography!!
This book was a complete delight for me to read, it is brilliantly written, easy to follow and I loved finding out more about the Murray's and their story!
From a relatively young age I have watched tennis with my mum at home on the TV, she watches all matches from the Grand Slams, to the Davis Cup, the Olympic matches to the ATP and WTA tours - generally if it is on the TV she will find it and watch it and I find it fascinating - I can't play it myself for toffee but the skills the players have are superb - so when I was approached and asked if I would consider reading this book I absolutely jumped at the chance and I read it as soon as the copy arrived!
Most people who follow tennis have heard the basic story about Judy, Jamie and Andy but this books tells us so much more and I was hooked, I read the book in a few hours. This is the real story about how hard it was for Judy at times. She is a remarkable woman and a brilliant role model. The book is very honest when it needs to be and it shows how hard she has had to work and the determination she has had to succeed.
No hesitation in giving the book 5 stars - it is a fantastic autobiography!!
September 12, 2017
I'll admit as a big tennis fan, as an Andy Murray fan, I know the basics of Judy's story. I knew she played when she was young, I knew her father was a footballer, I knew she was a national coach and I knew she had, in some capacity, been the coach to both of her sons at some point or another. I did not, however, know the extent to which she had gone through or how difficult it was for her and her family, both with money and set backs.
I had half worried she'd fall into the tennis auto/biography trap of bringing up controversy with other players *cough*Sharapova*cough*Becker*cough*McEnroe*cough* to try and sell it, but the reasons you didn't get soundbites about other players from this book is because, well, largely they aren't there. She mentions Rafa, as being pivotal to Andy's decision to want to train in Spain, she mentions Roger regarding how he deals with press and most other mentions of Andy's rivals are simply to do with their matches played.
I was half expecting this to be mostly about Andy and Jamie, an excuse to write something that brought up them a lot, but while (obviously) they are feature and quite heavily in the narrative the story is, and remains, mostly about Judy. It takes you through her emotions and reactions to big events in their life, the books highlights the ridicule she face as a result of her gender and as a tennis mum trying to give her children the best opportunities. It shows the resistance from the LTA (and better explains both Andy and Jamie's apparent lack of enthusiasm for it).
Jamie's parts I admit I found more interesting, mostly because the Andy narrative seems to be trotted out every time he make a big final. I knew Jamie was one of the top juniors in the world in his youth, but not really know much about the gap between that and his doubles career. It was fascinating to me to see a mother's perspective on what happened to him and how he overcame it.
Judy is quite blunt on how her gender was a roadblock that should not have been there on a lot of occasions, particularly on how she was viewed by the media and how her looks and enthusiasm were dissected as well as Andy's. She does discuss the inequality in sports, especially regarding female coaches, even on the women's tour, and she points out about how though you see male players hitting with their rivals often, you never see it with the top women's players. She talks about the women who stuck their necks out for her and how she attempts to repay them in kind.
If you are a fan of the sport, if you are a fan of either son, or even if you're just interested in the story of the Murray family, I would definitely recommend this.
I had half worried she'd fall into the tennis auto/biography trap of bringing up controversy with other players *cough*Sharapova*cough*Becker*cough*McEnroe*cough* to try and sell it, but the reasons you didn't get soundbites about other players from this book is because, well, largely they aren't there. She mentions Rafa, as being pivotal to Andy's decision to want to train in Spain, she mentions Roger regarding how he deals with press and most other mentions of Andy's rivals are simply to do with their matches played.
I was half expecting this to be mostly about Andy and Jamie, an excuse to write something that brought up them a lot, but while (obviously) they are feature and quite heavily in the narrative the story is, and remains, mostly about Judy. It takes you through her emotions and reactions to big events in their life, the books highlights the ridicule she face as a result of her gender and as a tennis mum trying to give her children the best opportunities. It shows the resistance from the LTA (and better explains both Andy and Jamie's apparent lack of enthusiasm for it).
Jamie's parts I admit I found more interesting, mostly because the Andy narrative seems to be trotted out every time he make a big final. I knew Jamie was one of the top juniors in the world in his youth, but not really know much about the gap between that and his doubles career. It was fascinating to me to see a mother's perspective on what happened to him and how he overcame it.
Judy is quite blunt on how her gender was a roadblock that should not have been there on a lot of occasions, particularly on how she was viewed by the media and how her looks and enthusiasm were dissected as well as Andy's. She does discuss the inequality in sports, especially regarding female coaches, even on the women's tour, and she points out about how though you see male players hitting with their rivals often, you never see it with the top women's players. She talks about the women who stuck their necks out for her and how she attempts to repay them in kind.
If you are a fan of the sport, if you are a fan of either son, or even if you're just interested in the story of the Murray family, I would definitely recommend this.
May 1, 2021
Whilst I've always enjoyed watching tennis and have been a spectator at Wimbledon, I've never been a huge Murray fan. Reading this book has given me a much greater appreciation of what it has taken for both the brothers and also Judy to get to the positions that they are at. It is so easy to listen to the "media" point of view .... this book gives the other side of the story.
It was also very interesting to read from a coaching point of view. Many of the ideas that Judy had for coaching youngsters to play tennis were similar to the ideas that I had for coaching young swimmers. It is often said that coaching ideas can reach across sports but this is one of the few times where I've actually been able to see and understand the similarities, possibly because she explains why she was doing something rather than just what she did. It is the "why" that is so much more important than the exact activity.
Finally, as the mum of a talented young swimmer, I can understand where she is coming from in wanting to give the best opportunities to her boys. I can also empathise with her feelings of frustration as being seen as a "pushy mum". I also try really hard to not be seen as a pushy mum, but when you are a coach in the same sport as your children, I fear that you will always be viewed in this way. I think it is very hard for others to separate your role as a coach to your role as a mum, even if you see it yourself as being two completely different things.
It was also very interesting to read from a coaching point of view. Many of the ideas that Judy had for coaching youngsters to play tennis were similar to the ideas that I had for coaching young swimmers. It is often said that coaching ideas can reach across sports but this is one of the few times where I've actually been able to see and understand the similarities, possibly because she explains why she was doing something rather than just what she did. It is the "why" that is so much more important than the exact activity.
Finally, as the mum of a talented young swimmer, I can understand where she is coming from in wanting to give the best opportunities to her boys. I can also empathise with her feelings of frustration as being seen as a "pushy mum". I also try really hard to not be seen as a pushy mum, but when you are a coach in the same sport as your children, I fear that you will always be viewed in this way. I think it is very hard for others to separate your role as a coach to your role as a mum, even if you see it yourself as being two completely different things.
July 5, 2025
4.5⭐️ It seems to me Scottish and British tennis has a lot to be thankful for that Judy Murray stuck by her guns and did what she thought was right for her family and for the game. A real eye opener about what we don’t see and the lack of funding and support. A thoroughly enjoyable read, although I am a tennis fan!
August 7, 2024
I really enjoyed listening to Judy ready this book. Calm and thoughtful but also humorous and fuelled by love for her boys and her sport. Lots I didn’t know about her and tennis so I also found it insightful, and ambitious for more for the women in her sport.
May 23, 2019
I listened to Judy Murray narrate this and it made it all the more poignant. What a hard working lady she has been, and still is. I’m glad she’s finally told her story because the press haven’t been too kind to her. She obviously has a great relationship with both her boys and has been through such an emotional journey. Well done Judy Murray - time to be kind to yourself!
August 14, 2022
Absolutely enthralling book. Judy Murray tells the story of Jamie and Andy going from small boys just starting to learn to play tennis, all the way through to both being Number One in their respective tennis fields of Doubles and Singles. It is much more than a book about Jamie and Andy though. It is the story of a devoted mother, who in her own right was a very good tennis player, encouraging a love of sport in both boys. She encouraged but didn't push too hard. She didn't kill their enthusiasm but engendered it. The lengths Judy Murray went to in order to help both of her boys and, indeed, many youngsters learning tennis were truly remarkable. In doing so, she made a new career for herself that I doubt she could ever of dreamed of before becoming a mum. She is a brave and incredibly hard working person. She has truly loved doing the things she did, pushing herself beyond what she previously perceived as her limits, and mainly for the benefit of others, as far as I can tell. A wonderful read about a long, at times very arduous, but ultimately successful and enjoyable journey.
September 26, 2017
Judy Murray charts her experience as mother to tennis champions Jamie and Andy Murray, Scottish National Coach, coach of the Fed Cup and much more in this highly informative, enjoyable read.
I absolutely loved this book. This is extremely well written, courtesy of Alexandra Heminsley, I was completely pulled into Judy's story and loved every second.
'Knowing the Score' is incredibly honest and revealing, Judy does not shy away from admitting mistakes and is brutally honest at times which is great. She is also incredibly realistic and this is a very heartwarming read, one that shows the true strength of people and how love for your family is all powerful.
This is a great read for anyone that is a fan of tennis. But this is also a great read for people interested in an informative, entertaining read and one that shows the softer, more loving side of Judy Murray. I laughed a lot at this and thoroughly recommend this.
I absolutely loved this book. This is extremely well written, courtesy of Alexandra Heminsley, I was completely pulled into Judy's story and loved every second.
'Knowing the Score' is incredibly honest and revealing, Judy does not shy away from admitting mistakes and is brutally honest at times which is great. She is also incredibly realistic and this is a very heartwarming read, one that shows the true strength of people and how love for your family is all powerful.
This is a great read for anyone that is a fan of tennis. But this is also a great read for people interested in an informative, entertaining read and one that shows the softer, more loving side of Judy Murray. I laughed a lot at this and thoroughly recommend this.
May 8, 2021
Undoubtedly a Scottish national treasure, and rightly a British one also. What a woman, with an incredibly candid and lucid biography. Time and again she details the journey rising beyond adversity becoming Scottish national tennis coach then going on to raise two of Britain's best ever Grand Slam winning tennis players. Wrongly run down by the British media and tennis television for being "annoying" and a "pushy parent", this could not be further from the truth. The financial difficulties she overcame paying for coaching in Spain and France, the endless support she provided journeying with her two young sons to tournaments on coaches and planes - not to mention keeping up their spirits and exposing them to all manner of fun and sports - and believing in them when few others, including the LTA, did, she is exactly the kind of person that threw out the odds and consequently made the British pick up their tennis racquets and dream big. A model parent too. Bravo Miss Murray.
August 24, 2025
I’m a tennis fan and an Andy Murray fan. Like many I felt I knew who Judy Murray was having seen her in the box supporting her sons Andy or Jamie.
This book her story is an insight into the tough times and the resilience of a woman who found a way through the male dominated ATP and tennis world to help and support her talented sons to tennis immortality.
Her love of sport, fitness, family and getting people to have fun shines through. Would recommend.
This book her story is an insight into the tough times and the resilience of a woman who found a way through the male dominated ATP and tennis world to help and support her talented sons to tennis immortality.
Her love of sport, fitness, family and getting people to have fun shines through. Would recommend.
July 11, 2021
I have always been an avid tennis fan and have followed the careers of Jamie and Andy and seen them play many times. It was a joy to read this superbly written book and I am full of admiration and awe for the resilience and tenacity shown by the Murray family and especially Judy to get them to where they are today.
November 3, 2021
Judy Murray is completely driven and focussed on tennis. This book is literally about her life in the tennis world, how she fought to help her sons and how she encouraged and raised money to get them where they are today. There is nothing more….. just tennis, apart from the refreshing chapter about her time in Strictly Come Dancing.
I enjoyed it. For tennis fans it’s a must read.
I enjoyed it. For tennis fans it’s a must read.
July 21, 2024
2.5 stars rounded down.
As intriguing as this one was to begin with, there really was nowhere near enough story to fill a book of this length, and it goes on and on and on and on. With about a third to go, I upped the speed to 2x (my audiobook equivalent of skim-reading), and it never got interesting enough again for me to want to go back down to regular speed. It's also a confusing book to listen to as it is only part-chronological, the timeline does jump around a bit and it takes concentration to remember which year the book is in.
While it was interesting to hear about Judy Murray's story (I did not know she was an aspiring tennis player herself) and the early part of the boys' career, after awhile it descended into a lot of blowing her own horn. Most auto/biographies by sportspeople at least credits some of the other competitors that are in the field, there was very little here apart from to highlight when one of the boys (usually Andy) has beaten a big name in the field and, with an annoyingly gloaty tone (which comes off doubly so as Judy reads the audiobook herself), describes how he did it. I would have also liked to see a bit more of the other side i.e. on the back of a loss, but there was little of it.
I 100% understand that autobiographies are from the person's POV and don't expect it to be fully objective, but this one was a bit too much of an extreme in the other direction.
As intriguing as this one was to begin with, there really was nowhere near enough story to fill a book of this length, and it goes on and on and on and on. With about a third to go, I upped the speed to 2x (my audiobook equivalent of skim-reading), and it never got interesting enough again for me to want to go back down to regular speed. It's also a confusing book to listen to as it is only part-chronological, the timeline does jump around a bit and it takes concentration to remember which year the book is in.
While it was interesting to hear about Judy Murray's story (I did not know she was an aspiring tennis player herself) and the early part of the boys' career, after awhile it descended into a lot of blowing her own horn. Most auto/biographies by sportspeople at least credits some of the other competitors that are in the field, there was very little here apart from to highlight when one of the boys (usually Andy) has beaten a big name in the field and, with an annoyingly gloaty tone (which comes off doubly so as Judy reads the audiobook herself), describes how he did it. I would have also liked to see a bit more of the other side i.e. on the back of a loss, but there was little of it.
I 100% understand that autobiographies are from the person's POV and don't expect it to be fully objective, but this one was a bit too much of an extreme in the other direction.
February 8, 2023
You have to be interested in the ins and outs of tennis training to enjoy this book! I did glaze over some of the details. There is no doubt that Judy is someone to admire but I wish the book had been written about her rather than by her. The tone throughout was rather 'schoolmarm' and came across as blowing her own trumpet. Though vulnerability was expressed there was somehow a lack of warmth and personal detail that would have helped the book along.
September 16, 2020
I've picked up tennis again as a hobby recently and was looking to read a biography or memoir by an inspirational coach. I always knew Judy Murray was awesome but I didn't realise quite how much she has done for tennis and women in sport before reading this book (ok, she'd actually been given an OBE in 2017)... She is truly relentless! The tips on tennis coaching and engaging people in the sport are fantastic too.
February 24, 2018
Well written. A great insight into Judy Murray's life and how Andy and Jamie have reached their goals. Well worth reading.
December 13, 2022
Judy Murray is so much more than “Andy & Jamie’s mum”, she was a trailblazer for Scottish tennis, changed many things for women in Tennis & sport and she continues to coach and promote tennis/sport today.
I listened to the audiobook that Judy Murray narrates and it made it all the more “real” and personal. This book is not an excuse to write about her famous sons, of course both Jamie & Andy feature heavily in the story but this isn’t their story, this is Judy’s story. She takes us “behind the scenes” as we hear of her devotion to the children playing tennis – I loved the fact that she wanted then to associate tennis with fun! We see her pride when one of her students does well, her fight to be recognised as a female coach long before Jamie & Andy were playing tennis, her frustration when finances or bureaucracy – or her gender – put roadblocks in the way, and her pride in Scotland!
This is a story of sheer hard work, determination to succeed and overcoming numerous challenges along the way. The book is very honest when it needs to be, from the financial struggles the family went through with airfares and hotel bills for tournaments and later the fundraising/sponsorship needed to enable her sons to progress in their journeys towards becoming elite sportsmen, to the many hours of travelling, the times she had to make difficult choices and yes, the times she made mistakes. However, Judy remains professional at all times & it is particularly refreshing that she doesn’t comment on other players or coaches – in fact some of the biggest names in tennis are mentioned simply in passing as opponents or team mates of her students.
Judy has not always been portrayed kindly by the press, her emotions courtside at Wimbledon etc were captured & flashed across the newspapers at a time when she was trying to be nothing more than a supportive Mum, so she developed a “poker face” that led to further criticism. However this book really shows that she was incredibly supportive, not at all controlling or “pushy” and working incredibly hard to clear the path for Jamie & Andy to succeed in their chosen sport – a decision they each made for themselves. I found the parts about Jamie & his successes/challenges/career decisions particularly interesting, possibly because Andy is the more well-known player, but Jamie’s achievements are no less impressive. I honestly think Judy would have been just as proud of them if they’d chosen to become plumbers or Maths teachers instead of professional Tennis players!
This book is well worth reading – even if you aren’t particularly interested in tennis!
I listened to the audiobook that Judy Murray narrates and it made it all the more “real” and personal. This book is not an excuse to write about her famous sons, of course both Jamie & Andy feature heavily in the story but this isn’t their story, this is Judy’s story. She takes us “behind the scenes” as we hear of her devotion to the children playing tennis – I loved the fact that she wanted then to associate tennis with fun! We see her pride when one of her students does well, her fight to be recognised as a female coach long before Jamie & Andy were playing tennis, her frustration when finances or bureaucracy – or her gender – put roadblocks in the way, and her pride in Scotland!
This is a story of sheer hard work, determination to succeed and overcoming numerous challenges along the way. The book is very honest when it needs to be, from the financial struggles the family went through with airfares and hotel bills for tournaments and later the fundraising/sponsorship needed to enable her sons to progress in their journeys towards becoming elite sportsmen, to the many hours of travelling, the times she had to make difficult choices and yes, the times she made mistakes. However, Judy remains professional at all times & it is particularly refreshing that she doesn’t comment on other players or coaches – in fact some of the biggest names in tennis are mentioned simply in passing as opponents or team mates of her students.
Judy has not always been portrayed kindly by the press, her emotions courtside at Wimbledon etc were captured & flashed across the newspapers at a time when she was trying to be nothing more than a supportive Mum, so she developed a “poker face” that led to further criticism. However this book really shows that she was incredibly supportive, not at all controlling or “pushy” and working incredibly hard to clear the path for Jamie & Andy to succeed in their chosen sport – a decision they each made for themselves. I found the parts about Jamie & his successes/challenges/career decisions particularly interesting, possibly because Andy is the more well-known player, but Jamie’s achievements are no less impressive. I honestly think Judy would have been just as proud of them if they’d chosen to become plumbers or Maths teachers instead of professional Tennis players!
This book is well worth reading – even if you aren’t particularly interested in tennis!
May 14, 2018
Judy Murray is a gem. This book is a real master class on how to pen an autobiography -- and I'm impressed I don't see a co-author listed. It's warm and loving to the people it should -- her sons growing up, other female coaches, people who helped when they could. But doesn't hold back on calling out bullshit. Murray talks about the structural deficiencies of the LTA and their myopia in developing young talent. She also reveals a lot of the sexist crap that's been foisted upon her.
That part in particular really resonated with me. I think it's important that women write memoirs. This reminded me of the political memoir kick I went on last year -- while the reflections of the male staffers were interesting, none connected with me as much as Alyssa Mastromonaco's book. I'm infuriated on Murray's behalf! Especially when she was younger, less confident, and just starting out in tennis. I very much admire her ability to persevere, and agree with her insight that its important to have female role models who can show other women that a coaching career in tennis is possible. (Oh, oh somebody get me the Eva Asderaki-Moore tennis memoir!). I can also totally see why growing female talent -- in the players, the coaches, the journalists -- is important to Murray, and I'm glad she undertakes so many initiatives to champion women.
I also really appreciated that this was Judy's story. It focused on her journey from playing, to becoming the Scottish national coach (which, isn't currently listed on her wiki just btw -- wth), to GB Fed Cup captain. Andy and Jamie no doubt have their own autobiographies, but Judy absolutely deserves to have her own story told. I enjoyed getting to know her career better and how she came to hold the values she espouses. I walked away from this with a shitload of respect.
--
Aside, this is a bit of a cop out on my end. Reading challenges should be an opportunity to read beyond your comfort zone and discover something new. Initially, I'd planned on reading The Nowhere Men for the 'a book about or involving a sport' prompt -- but to be honest I was never that enthusiastic. Then I discovered Judy Murray had an autobiography out, and I realised, oh, of course I'm going to read about tennis...
That part in particular really resonated with me. I think it's important that women write memoirs. This reminded me of the political memoir kick I went on last year -- while the reflections of the male staffers were interesting, none connected with me as much as Alyssa Mastromonaco's book. I'm infuriated on Murray's behalf! Especially when she was younger, less confident, and just starting out in tennis. I very much admire her ability to persevere, and agree with her insight that its important to have female role models who can show other women that a coaching career in tennis is possible. (Oh, oh somebody get me the Eva Asderaki-Moore tennis memoir!). I can also totally see why growing female talent -- in the players, the coaches, the journalists -- is important to Murray, and I'm glad she undertakes so many initiatives to champion women.
I also really appreciated that this was Judy's story. It focused on her journey from playing, to becoming the Scottish national coach (which, isn't currently listed on her wiki just btw -- wth), to GB Fed Cup captain. Andy and Jamie no doubt have their own autobiographies, but Judy absolutely deserves to have her own story told. I enjoyed getting to know her career better and how she came to hold the values she espouses. I walked away from this with a shitload of respect.
--
Aside, this is a bit of a cop out on my end. Reading challenges should be an opportunity to read beyond your comfort zone and discover something new. Initially, I'd planned on reading The Nowhere Men for the 'a book about or involving a sport' prompt -- but to be honest I was never that enthusiastic. Then I discovered Judy Murray had an autobiography out, and I realised, oh, of course I'm going to read about tennis...
May 31, 2024
Another highly recommended sports memoir, especially (but not only) for women involved in sports / coaching. I clearly remember this from the 00's but the general media and public narrative around Judy Murray was so misogynistic for so long. She was Andy's "problem". "Look at how aggressive she is". So on and so forth. All she was, was a woman who had an interest in sport, enjoyed it, and wanted to be successful as a coach, and do the best for her children. What sort of a crime is that? She had to persevere and overcome so many barriers and this book outlines it all from her perspective. The book could reasonably have been titled settling the score. Murray doesn't hold back in highlighting where she feels she was wronged.
I'm a huge Andy Murray fan anyway which I'm sure enhanced my enjoyment of this. Contains many really positive messages for everyone in sport. One of Judy's key philosophies is about enjoying the activity for itself. Also superb advice about training kids, and touches on a lot of the keys to the transition from juvenile to adult sport. No surprise, the social ecosystem around the sport for the players is absolutely critical.
One of the best annecdotes in the book is about how she let Jamie Murray go to boarding school at a British high performance tennis centre at the age of 12 and how that proved to be an absolute disaster. She even speculates that that became the reason why Andy became the more successful singles player. Jamie going off at 12 into the wrong environment was so damaging to his confidence at a young age that he never fully recovered confidence wise. Anyhow, another well worthwhile book from someone who truly understands their sport.
I'm a huge Andy Murray fan anyway which I'm sure enhanced my enjoyment of this. Contains many really positive messages for everyone in sport. One of Judy's key philosophies is about enjoying the activity for itself. Also superb advice about training kids, and touches on a lot of the keys to the transition from juvenile to adult sport. No surprise, the social ecosystem around the sport for the players is absolutely critical.
One of the best annecdotes in the book is about how she let Jamie Murray go to boarding school at a British high performance tennis centre at the age of 12 and how that proved to be an absolute disaster. She even speculates that that became the reason why Andy became the more successful singles player. Jamie going off at 12 into the wrong environment was so damaging to his confidence at a young age that he never fully recovered confidence wise. Anyhow, another well worthwhile book from someone who truly understands their sport.
June 17, 2017
Must read for tennis fans
A wry and slightly ironic telling of bringing up two boys who, in their different events both made number one ranking in tennis. A fairly warts and all insight into the unbelievable lengths the Murray family had to go to give both Jamie and Andy the opportunities to become the world's best by the end of 2016 - with spectacularly little help from the LTA, who are constantly assuring the tennis public how much they are doing to nurture young talent ! It's a good read and maybe because I hail from a similar part of the country to Judy and experienced at first hand he total lack of interest in encouraging youngsters in Scotland it was heartening to read about the several programmes Judy has launched to fill that yawning gap. I recommend looking up the website for Miss Hits and the other programmes. I wish there had been a Judy Murray around when I was a keen junior ! Not that I had professional ambitions but I did live playing which as Judy frequently points out is what players at any level should get out of playing tennis - fun and enjoyment.
A wry and slightly ironic telling of bringing up two boys who, in their different events both made number one ranking in tennis. A fairly warts and all insight into the unbelievable lengths the Murray family had to go to give both Jamie and Andy the opportunities to become the world's best by the end of 2016 - with spectacularly little help from the LTA, who are constantly assuring the tennis public how much they are doing to nurture young talent ! It's a good read and maybe because I hail from a similar part of the country to Judy and experienced at first hand he total lack of interest in encouraging youngsters in Scotland it was heartening to read about the several programmes Judy has launched to fill that yawning gap. I recommend looking up the website for Miss Hits and the other programmes. I wish there had been a Judy Murray around when I was a keen junior ! Not that I had professional ambitions but I did live playing which as Judy frequently points out is what players at any level should get out of playing tennis - fun and enjoyment.
November 6, 2024
I had always thought that Judy had lucked out in Jamie and Andy, or that Jamie and Nady were lucky to have a coach as a mother. But on reading this, I have discovered that they were phenomenally lucky to have Judy, specifically, as a mother.
In a sport littered with tiger parents (even up to the tops of the world rankings) it is a shining example of tennis parenting done right. Judy seemingly did everything right in how to raise her children to be superstars; even when they were respectively at thetops of their fields in 2016, her main focus was on managing Fed cup teams, or promoting tennis in Scotland, or developing grass roots talent.
Well written and thoughtful, and provides plenty of surprising insight into the long and hard slog in raising stars.
This lost a star for the chapter on Strictly (very glad she enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I was here for), and a glaring error stating Andy made the Australian Open final in 2012, which should have been caught long before the printing press.
Enjoyable though.
In a sport littered with tiger parents (even up to the tops of the world rankings) it is a shining example of tennis parenting done right. Judy seemingly did everything right in how to raise her children to be superstars; even when they were respectively at thetops of their fields in 2016, her main focus was on managing Fed cup teams, or promoting tennis in Scotland, or developing grass roots talent.
Well written and thoughtful, and provides plenty of surprising insight into the long and hard slog in raising stars.
This lost a star for the chapter on Strictly (very glad she enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I was here for), and a glaring error stating Andy made the Australian Open final in 2012, which should have been caught long before the printing press.
Enjoyable though.
March 16, 2025
Since Andy Murray retired from professional tennis, I keep hearing in my head the lyrics of Cher’s song ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’, but this is exactly what happened when I read Judy Murray’s book, “Knowing the Score: My Family and our tennis story”, which is more than a memoir; it shows her sheer determination and hard work to forge a career in a male-dominated world, but, more than that, it’s about a parent’s fight to provide her gifted and talented children with the best opportunities to fulfil their potential and dreams. The rest is history.
Her own acknowledgements go finally “to my boys, for continuing to inspire me with their capacity to work hard and achieve ridiculous levels of success against all the odds. But mostly for staying grounded and humble in spite of everything”.
It is an incredible, uplifting, real story.
Her own acknowledgements go finally “to my boys, for continuing to inspire me with their capacity to work hard and achieve ridiculous levels of success against all the odds. But mostly for staying grounded and humble in spite of everything”.
It is an incredible, uplifting, real story.
December 17, 2019
I don't very often read autobiographies but I really enjoyed this. The first section, which deals with Judy's childhood and teenage years, is fascinating. It gives a real insight into how she became the force in tennis that she is today, despite a detour through working in retail! As the story progresses, we get background info on the early days of both Andy and Jamie and how the struggle to cope, both practically and financially, turned into a success story for the whole family. Judy is an inspiration for women everywhere, not just those involved in tennis, but also those who know nothing about the sport. She just didn't give up.
September 22, 2021
What a woman.
I really enjoyed listening to her story. You don't have to be a tennis fan - this is a must-read for anyone with a talented child in any field, as well as for aspiring coaches of any sport.
Judy Murray's career - and by extension, the careers of her tennis star sons - is a triumph of tenacity. I was reading this around the time of Emma Raducanu's triumph at the US Open, and the media made much of the £1.8m prize money and what an 18 year-old might spend it on. Murray makes clear just how expensive it is to make a career in an individual sport such as tennis, and how she had to scrimp and scrape for so many years to help the boys achieve their dreams.
I really enjoyed listening to her story. You don't have to be a tennis fan - this is a must-read for anyone with a talented child in any field, as well as for aspiring coaches of any sport.
Judy Murray's career - and by extension, the careers of her tennis star sons - is a triumph of tenacity. I was reading this around the time of Emma Raducanu's triumph at the US Open, and the media made much of the £1.8m prize money and what an 18 year-old might spend it on. Murray makes clear just how expensive it is to make a career in an individual sport such as tennis, and how she had to scrimp and scrape for so many years to help the boys achieve their dreams.
July 8, 2018
This is a book I fell in love with. Judy bravely didn't pull any punches when describing the ongoing struggles she and her family dealt with both as a young family trying to work their way up through the demanding world of tennis and also as a woman working in a consistently male-dominated environment. She truly is an inspiration. This book is very well written, easy to read and in case you can't tell, I've been raving about it ever since! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of sport, has children who love the game or simply need an uplifting story of accomplishment.
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