A budding tennis star at Sir Andy Murray’s former school hopes the Wimbledon champion will return as a PE teacher after he retires.
Dunblane Primary School pupil Gregor Wood said he was shocked to hear of Sir Andy’s plans to leave the game this year due to ongoing injury, but the youngster already has high hopes for what the tennis ace might do next.
“He should be a PE teacher here,” primary seven pupil Gregor said. “I think he would be quite a good one.”
“I was shocked that he was retiring because he’s just played so well and I kind of wanted him to keep going, but because of his hip I guess it’s probably time for him to stop.”
Gregor hopes to be able to do so as his tennis is “quite good”, and he credited Sir Andy’s determination as one of his most inspirational qualities.
He said: “He’s not given up because of his hip and he’s had that pain for about a year now. He’s not given up and he’s kept on playing.”
Fellow P7 pupil Katie Cullen also met the tennis star when he returned to the school, and she said he was “funny” and “very inspirational”.
“He’s an inspiration, he always inspires us to do sport and to be the best you can be.”
Head teacher Lorraine Slabbert said she is “hugely sad” Sir Andy plans to retire this year as he has been a “huge inspiration”.
“He’s already had a huge impact in the school but actually he’s got a job to do next, and I’m quite sure he will, in inspiring the children in Scotland and wider.”
She said his visits to the school had shown pupils how to live active lives and taught them they can “do anything they want to do”.
She added: “Some of the children have already said when he has time on his hands they would love to see him here helping them out.”
Mr Farmer said he is sad about a “premature end to a spectacular and outstanding career”.
He added: “Andy’s been a sensational ambassador for Stirling.”
