Tennis icon Andy Murray has spoken candidly about the profound grief that enveloped his family following the deaths of their two beloved dogs, describing the experience as 'brutal'. The former Wimbledon champion and his wife, Kim, have revealed how the losses of Maggie May in 2022 and border terrier Rusty in 2024 left their family home in Leatherhead feeling strangely empty and quiet.
A Home Transformed by Loss
The Murray family, which includes four children – Sophia, Edie, Lola, and Teddy – had moved into their dream Surrey property in 2022. The impressive residence, reportedly bought after they made £5 million from the sale of their previous mansion, boasts amenities like a swimming pool and sauna. Yet, as Murray explained to The Times, the house's atmosphere changed dramatically after their pets were gone.
"When our dogs died last year our house just felt different," the 38-year-old said. "They weren't super-noisy dogs, but when they were no longer here it just felt so quiet, and we became aware of the things we hadn't always noticed." He recalled the simple, cherished routines that defined their days, from the dogs hopping onto the sofa for cuddles to the morning walks that started each day.
Navigating Grief as a Family
Murray did not shy away from describing the emotional impact, stating plainly: "It was really brutal. We found it extremely hard." He was present for Rusty's passing, an experience he found incredibly difficult, unlike with Maggie May. The family collectively decided to wait before welcoming another pet, not wanting to rush the process.
For the Murray children, this was a first encounter with profound loss. "It was hard for the children too and it was interesting to see how they reacted to it as it's the first time they've really experienced grief," Murray shared. He was moved by how they supported each other, sharing memories of Rusty. "They handled it in a really touching way, which showed how much the dogs mean to them too. You don't always realise how deep that love is."
New Beginnings in Retirement
Since stepping away from professional tennis in 2024, citing that his body 'was kind of telling me that it was time', Murray has had more opportunity to focus on family life. The retirement came after a career that earned him an estimated £50 million in prize money, with significant additional wealth from sponsorships.
In 2025, the family felt ready to open their hearts again, adopting a retriever named Bonnie. This new chapter coincides with Murray's adjustment to life after sport, where he now reflects with awe on his achievements. The family's journey through grief underscores the deep bond between pets and their owners, a universal experience the sporting hero has now intimately shared.
