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Spotlight · Sport and recreation
Judy Murray OBE
Tennis coach, former Great Britain Fed Cup captain and a lifelong champion of opening up tennis to children across the UK.
Key facts
- Won 64 Scottish titles as a junior and senior player
- First coach of Andy and Jamie Murray
- Great Britain Fed Cup captain, 2011 to 2016
- Appointed OBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours
Their story
Celebrating Dr Judy Murray OBE
Our fourth Honorary Doctor this week from Abertay University is Judy Murray OBE, one of the most influential figures in British tennis.
Abertay awarded Judy an Honorary Doctor of Education in 2016, recognising her work to build the profile of tennis and widen access to it across the UK.
A life in tennis Judy grew up in Scotland at a time when there were no indoor tennis courts, playing tennis in summer and badminton in winter. She won 64 Scottish titles as a junior and senior player, and represented Great Britain at the World Student Games in 1981 after graduating from the University of Edinburgh.
Coach and captain Judy became a coach and was the first coach of her sons, Andy and Jamie, both of whom went on to become world number one players. She has coached at regional and national level, and captained Great Britain's Fed Cup team from 2011 to 2016.
Opening the game to everyone Judy has designed tennis programmes to bring children into the sport, including programmes for young girls that raise the profile of women's tennis in the UK. She is a trustee of the Judy Murray Foundation, a Scottish charity that works to widen access to tennis. She was appointed OBE in 2017.
Why this matters Judy's honour from Abertay recognises a coach and educator whose influence reaches from the world's biggest courts to local parks and school halls. It reflects what she achieved by doing what she loves, and by sharing it with others.