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Coming of Age: The Autobiography
The Wimbledon champion's early life in his own words
'With Andy, the sky's the limit...' John McEnroe
At Wimbledon 2005, Andy Murray announced himself on the tennis world stage by thrashing star pros George Bastl and Radek Stepanek: a legend was born and Britain had a new sporting hero.
From there, Andy's rise to the top has been unstoppable: from winning his first ATP title at San Jose in 2006 and deposing Tim Henman to become British Number 1, to beating a host of former and current World no. 1s - including Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal - Murray has gone from strength to strength. With his triumphant win at Queen's in June 2009, a storming performance at Wimbledon 2009 - which saw Andy reach the semi-finals for the first time - and his crowning as World Number 2, we have seen Murray reach even greater heights.
But Murray is much more than a truly gifted tennis player: he has changed the face of the British game. His grit, passion and success on court, combined with his ranking as one of the world's best players, has reignited Britain's love of tennis and inspired a whole new generation of kids to become tennis fans.
Here, in his updated story, Andy regales us with the highs and the lows, the triumphs and the near misses to show us just how far the boy from Dunblane has come.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Andy Murray
3 books5 followersAndy Murray is a British tennis player.
After turning pro in 2005, Andy won his first ATP title, the SAP open in San Jose, a year later. Fast forward two years and seven more tour titles, Andy reached his first grand slam final, the 2008 US Open. However in 2012, having lost in three subsequent grand slam final appearances, Andy became the US Open Champion. This was hot on the heels of an illustrious Gold Medal victory at Wimbledon during the London 2012 Olympics. Andy then ended years of British heartbreak on the same turf just a year later by becoming the first British male in 77 years to win the highly coveted Wimbledon Championships in London in July 2013.
After turning pro in 2005, Andy won his first ATP title, the SAP open in San Jose, a year later. Fast forward two years and seven more tour titles, Andy reached his first grand slam final, the 2008 US Open. However in 2012, having lost in three subsequent grand slam final appearances, Andy became the US Open Champion. This was hot on the heels of an illustrious Gold Medal victory at Wimbledon during the London 2012 Olympics. Andy then ended years of British heartbreak on the same turf just a year later by becoming the first British male in 77 years to win the highly coveted Wimbledon Championships in London in July 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 9, 2012
As a tennis fan I am working my way through some of the biographies of the various tennis players. Murray has always been represented in the media in a variety of controversial ways and so I thought it would be interesting to read what he had to say as a balance to that.
First off I was relieved to discover that it really was the voice of Andy and not someone else talking about him. A few chapters within the book have been written by others about Andy and added a really good balance and extra colour to the book. I particularly enjoyed the angle of his friendship with Tim Henman (another tennis player often mis-represented by the media)and seeing a wonderfully human side of both of them through it.
Throughout the book Andy tackles many of the subjects for which he has been slated in the media, ie. his apparent rudeness, his anti-Britishness etc., as well as his own frustrations with the media at large and they way they have twisted so many things he has said and done. Although the book didn't always seem to follow smoothly, to the point of often being confused where we were in his story at a given time, I did feel like I had got to know Andy much better by the end of it. And as a result will be rooting for him even more in tennis championships to come.
First off I was relieved to discover that it really was the voice of Andy and not someone else talking about him. A few chapters within the book have been written by others about Andy and added a really good balance and extra colour to the book. I particularly enjoyed the angle of his friendship with Tim Henman (another tennis player often mis-represented by the media)and seeing a wonderfully human side of both of them through it.
Throughout the book Andy tackles many of the subjects for which he has been slated in the media, ie. his apparent rudeness, his anti-Britishness etc., as well as his own frustrations with the media at large and they way they have twisted so many things he has said and done. Although the book didn't always seem to follow smoothly, to the point of often being confused where we were in his story at a given time, I did feel like I had got to know Andy much better by the end of it. And as a result will be rooting for him even more in tennis championships to come.
July 4, 2024
Interesting autobiography from Andy detailing his early life and before any grand slam wins. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing his side of things and how twisted the media can make things. I’m a big fan and have seen him play a few times, one year at Wimbledon when he won. A bit repetitive at times, as there are also parts from those close to him, but definitely worth a read if you are a Murray and tennis fan 🎾
October 7, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this book and enjoyed other people writing about their experiences with Andy
March 13, 2023
Premature autobiography as Andy had just started being managed by Simon Fuller of Spice Girls fame. His fortunes were on the rise but he was yet to win a Grand Slam or the Olympic double. Even Djokovic wasn’t in the frame for greatest of all time at this point. This is ostensibly a PR exercise in addressing all of the rumours keeping him grounded. Being anti-English, non-patriotic for dropping out of Davis Cup ties and sexism claims over attributing bad service games to playing like a woman.
He is down to Earth and has a dry sense of humour, the writer manages to capture his voice. Other chapters are written by his mother, brother, Tiger Tim Henman and Mark Petchey his coach during a meteoric rise.
He may not be as great a player as the aforementioned Novak who beat him to a maiden grand slam despite being younger; but for a time he was the greatest threat to “the big three” and beat them often, even taking the top rankings spot. He remains underrated by many and who knows what he could have achieved if his body wasn’t so injury prone? Murray continues to stage brave and inspirational comeback wins with an artificial hip.
He is down to Earth and has a dry sense of humour, the writer manages to capture his voice. Other chapters are written by his mother, brother, Tiger Tim Henman and Mark Petchey his coach during a meteoric rise.
He may not be as great a player as the aforementioned Novak who beat him to a maiden grand slam despite being younger; but for a time he was the greatest threat to “the big three” and beat them often, even taking the top rankings spot. He remains underrated by many and who knows what he could have achieved if his body wasn’t so injury prone? Murray continues to stage brave and inspirational comeback wins with an artificial hip.
December 19, 2018
Andy spent a lot of time in this book trying to justify himself and explaining his turbulent relationship with the press. I would say at least a third of the book carries that theme. There were more insights about his childhood and how he came up as a tennis player in his mothers book than there were in his own book. He then spends a lot of time telling details of tournaments that he played in the latter stages of his career (bearing in mind the book ends before he won his first grand slam). I skipped quite a few pages of this book and overall I would not read it again, but if you are a Murray fan you might enjoy it. I though, much prefer his mother's book which I gave 5 stars.
January 9, 2011
Mentivo: un commento sensato a questa autobiografia non sono in grado di farlo.
With Andy, the sky is the limit... parole e musica di John McEnroe, e non posso dirmi in disaccordo.
Il libro si apre su quello che è stato indubbiamente il primo punto di svolta della vita di Andy: Wimbledon 2005, quando ragazzino appena diciottenne entra grazie a una wildcard nel tabellone principale di Wimbledon e sbaraglia in tre set prima lo svizzero Bastl e poi Stepanek, prima di cedere solo al quinto - e dopo essersi trovato avanti due set a zero - a Nalbandian. Tre partite che gli cambiano completamente la vita, perché se indubbiamente Andy sarebbe venuto fuori comunque nell'elite dei top-player, sicuramente non era ancora pronto in quel momento a mettersi sulle spalle il pesantissimo fardello del tennis britannico, ad affrontare l'assalto dei media e a imparare a convivere con tutto questo.
Da qui il racconto si sviluppa poi in due direzioni, da una parte si torna indietro, all'infanzia a Dunblane, ai primi passi nel mondo tennistico, ai primi trofei e al rapporto con il fratello Jamie; dall'altra si va avanti, al tour americano dopo quel Wimbledon, alle prime vittorie nei tornei minori, alle prime grandi sfide, all'ingresso nei top-100 con un balzo in avanti in classifica rispetto all'anno precedente semplicemente sbalorditivo.
Come può essere facilmente intuibile, il capitolo dell'autobiografia dedicato al massacro di Dunblane è qualcosa che mette assolutamente i brividi, sia per l'assurdità di quella sparatoria, sia per la casualità altrettanto disarmante che ha deciso chi dovesse vivere e chi dovesse morire.
"I do remember the school Headmaster had told us to go into a classroom - not our usual classroom - because we'd been on our way to the gym [dove si era appena dipanata la carneficina, ndme]. That is a pretty devastating thought. [...] I could have been one of those children."
Da Dunblane si passa oltre, agli anni in Spagna all'Accademia Casal-Sanchez, e ai primi passi sul circuito maggiore, alla vittoria degli US Open Junior, al premio come miglior sportivo under-18 britannico nel 2004, passando per gli innumerevoli problemi con la stampa, passando attraverso la difficoltà di crescere e maturare con puntati addosso gli occhi di una nazione intera.
Coming of Age, che nella sua versione aggiornata ferma il suo racconto poco dopo la fine degli US 2009, è un'autobiografia divertente e tenera, che racconta in maniera chiara e lucida la situazione del tennis britannico e riesce a fare rivivere allo stesso tempo l'entusiasmante cavalcata di un adolescente dai "campi di periferia dove a guardarti c'è forse una persona e il suo cane" alle più imponenti arene del mondo. Se siete appassionati di tennis (o anche solo di sport), ve la consiglio vivamente.
With Andy, the sky is the limit... parole e musica di John McEnroe, e non posso dirmi in disaccordo.
Il libro si apre su quello che è stato indubbiamente il primo punto di svolta della vita di Andy: Wimbledon 2005, quando ragazzino appena diciottenne entra grazie a una wildcard nel tabellone principale di Wimbledon e sbaraglia in tre set prima lo svizzero Bastl e poi Stepanek, prima di cedere solo al quinto - e dopo essersi trovato avanti due set a zero - a Nalbandian. Tre partite che gli cambiano completamente la vita, perché se indubbiamente Andy sarebbe venuto fuori comunque nell'elite dei top-player, sicuramente non era ancora pronto in quel momento a mettersi sulle spalle il pesantissimo fardello del tennis britannico, ad affrontare l'assalto dei media e a imparare a convivere con tutto questo.
Da qui il racconto si sviluppa poi in due direzioni, da una parte si torna indietro, all'infanzia a Dunblane, ai primi passi nel mondo tennistico, ai primi trofei e al rapporto con il fratello Jamie; dall'altra si va avanti, al tour americano dopo quel Wimbledon, alle prime vittorie nei tornei minori, alle prime grandi sfide, all'ingresso nei top-100 con un balzo in avanti in classifica rispetto all'anno precedente semplicemente sbalorditivo.
Come può essere facilmente intuibile, il capitolo dell'autobiografia dedicato al massacro di Dunblane è qualcosa che mette assolutamente i brividi, sia per l'assurdità di quella sparatoria, sia per la casualità altrettanto disarmante che ha deciso chi dovesse vivere e chi dovesse morire.
"I do remember the school Headmaster had told us to go into a classroom - not our usual classroom - because we'd been on our way to the gym [dove si era appena dipanata la carneficina, ndme]. That is a pretty devastating thought. [...] I could have been one of those children."
Da Dunblane si passa oltre, agli anni in Spagna all'Accademia Casal-Sanchez, e ai primi passi sul circuito maggiore, alla vittoria degli US Open Junior, al premio come miglior sportivo under-18 britannico nel 2004, passando per gli innumerevoli problemi con la stampa, passando attraverso la difficoltà di crescere e maturare con puntati addosso gli occhi di una nazione intera.
Coming of Age, che nella sua versione aggiornata ferma il suo racconto poco dopo la fine degli US 2009, è un'autobiografia divertente e tenera, che racconta in maniera chiara e lucida la situazione del tennis britannico e riesce a fare rivivere allo stesso tempo l'entusiasmante cavalcata di un adolescente dai "campi di periferia dove a guardarti c'è forse una persona e il suo cane" alle più imponenti arene del mondo. Se siete appassionati di tennis (o anche solo di sport), ve la consiglio vivamente.
December 31, 2013
I purposely put off reading this book for years since this was obviously pushed out back in 2008/09 by Murray’s PR company to counteract the constant criticism he was always getting and I’m just really not a fan of autobiographies that are put out mid-career.
This was an ok read overall as he goes through some of his memories growing up and his start in tennis up to reaching his first slam final (his biggest achievement at that time), all told with his usual dry humour. For most of the book though, he is pretty much on the defence as he attempts to clear up some misconceptions and twisted stories about him. These parts got a bit tiresome after a while, but I can understand why they are there since he’s constantly had the weight of Britain on his shoulders but not always the support to back it up. I think he’s a bit more laid back about this stuff these days though, he’s learned how to navigate through the media in his own way, ie: be boring.
As a fan already, I never needed this book for him to win me over. I love that he doesn’t buy into the celebrity lifestyle and is allergic to BS. In our celebrity obsessed culture these days, I’d rather kids aspire to be like this pretty successful ‘boring’ guy over people who are famous just for being famous.
So, if you like Murray, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If you don’t, this might change your views on him. If it doesn’t, I don’t think he’ll be losing any sleep over it, he is who he is.
This was an ok read overall as he goes through some of his memories growing up and his start in tennis up to reaching his first slam final (his biggest achievement at that time), all told with his usual dry humour. For most of the book though, he is pretty much on the defence as he attempts to clear up some misconceptions and twisted stories about him. These parts got a bit tiresome after a while, but I can understand why they are there since he’s constantly had the weight of Britain on his shoulders but not always the support to back it up. I think he’s a bit more laid back about this stuff these days though, he’s learned how to navigate through the media in his own way, ie: be boring.
As a fan already, I never needed this book for him to win me over. I love that he doesn’t buy into the celebrity lifestyle and is allergic to BS. In our celebrity obsessed culture these days, I’d rather kids aspire to be like this pretty successful ‘boring’ guy over people who are famous just for being famous.
So, if you like Murray, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If you don’t, this might change your views on him. If it doesn’t, I don’t think he’ll be losing any sleep over it, he is who he is.
February 2, 2013
No lengthy preface, it goes straight to the point. Very readable. The book consists of narratives from Andy, his mum, Judy, brother and coaches about their experiences with Andy and Andy them and his tennis. His book came to being as he thought he had been misunderstood and reckoned that the book may also clarify matters and especially to relate them from his own perspective.
It tells of his childhood days, his introduction to tennis, his decision to become a tennis player and the struggles he went through to become one.
He has given British tennis new hope though it has itself to blame for the lack of top world tennis players in it's crop.
It tells of his childhood days, his introduction to tennis, his decision to become a tennis player and the struggles he went through to become one.
He has given British tennis new hope though it has itself to blame for the lack of top world tennis players in it's crop.
July 29, 2017
Surprisingly good, considering that it was written very early in his career. Andy is a very opinionated person, so he offers his opinions about various things, from bananas to celebrity lifestyle. He also writes at length about what the media has misinterpreted him saying in the past. The book is somewhat repetitive, some events have been described almost the same way by other people (e.g. short chapters written by his mom, Tim Henman etc), but still it's a great book to get to know Andy.
January 12, 2013
Totally changed my perspective on him. He is now my favourite sportsman.
July 27, 2016
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I was already a patriotic fan but this got me inside the BRIT's head. I made it my mission to correct people when they made an accusation against the best player we've ever had.
October 28, 2013
Would be great to read an updated version now that Andy has won multiple grandslams and Olympics gold.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews