Tennis icon Andy Murray has spoken with raw honesty about the profound grief that struck his family following the deaths of their two beloved dogs, describing the experience as "brutal" and one that left their Surrey home feeling strangely empty.
A Home Changed by Loss
The former Wimbledon champion, 38, and his wife Kim lost their dog Maggie May in 2022. The family's heartbreak was compounded two years later when their border terrier, Rusty, also passed away. Murray admitted the atmosphere in their Leatherhead home, purchased in 2022, was fundamentally altered by the absences.
"When our dogs died last year our house just felt different," Murray told The Times. "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 described the deep void left by the simple, daily routines: the dogs hopping onto the sofa for cuddles or the morning ritual of walks and feeding. "They become a huge part of your routine. They're always present," he reflected, emphasising they were very much part of the family unit.
Navigating Grief as a Family
The loss was particularly poignant as it marked the first real experience of grief for the couple's four children: daughters Sophia, Edie, and Lola, and son Teddy. Murray, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, was present for Rusty's passing and found it "incredibly difficult".
"It was really brutal. We found it extremely hard," he confessed. The family made a conscious decision not to rush into getting another pet, choosing instead to process their loss together. "We all stuck together, supported each other and talked about all the things we all loved about Rusty," Murray said, moved by how his children handled the situation in a "really touching way".
A New Chapter with Bonnie
After giving themselves time to heal, the Murrays welcomed a new companion into their home in 2025: a retriever named Bonnie. The arrival of the new dog coincides with a new chapter in Murray's life, having stepped away from the sport where he earned an estimated £50 million in prize money.
He stated his retirement, prompted by his body "telling him it was time", has allowed him more opportunity to focus on family life. While the memories of Maggie May and Rusty remain, Bonnie is helping to bring joyful noise back into the family's Surrey residence, which features a swimming pool, sauna, and massage room.
Murray's candid revelation highlights a universal truth about pet ownership, showing that even for a globally recognised sports star, the bond with a family dog is irreplaceable and its loss deeply felt by all.
