Andy Murray's grandparents Roy and Shirley Erskine have said that they've received upsetting and nasty hate mail regarding the tennis star. The couple, from Dunblane, said that Andy and his mum Judy Murray have been the subject of criticism.
"We've had one or two nasty letters," Shirley, 84, told the Radio Times. "One about Andy supposedly snarling on court, and another about his accent, saying he sounded American.
"Just comments like that, but they do upset you. Judy would say, 'Put it in the bin, just forget it'. She would tell me that there are always going to be people like that."
© Photo: PARoy and Shirley Erskine said they found the hate mail "upsetting"
Roy, 82, added: "I find it upsetting. The things that some people come out with, and it's not just about Andy, but about his mum, too."
The couple did admit that some of the letters have provided light relief. "We've also had some funny ones, such as the man saying Andy needs to eat more baked beans," said Shirley.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAndy and Judy have been the subject of criticism in the letters
Despite the criticism their grandson may receive, Andy, 29, is thriving in his professional and personal life. The tennis ace made history at the weekend when he became the first man to win the Queen's Club title five times.
It was Andy's second championship win of the year – and now his attention will turn to Wimbledon, which kicks off on 27 June. He famously won the prestigious tennis competition in 2013, becoming the first British man to win the Men's Singles Championship since Fred Perry, 77 years previously, and will be hoping to reclaim the title again this year.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAndy's wife Kim will be supporting her husband at Wimbledon next week
His wife Kim will be cheering him on courtside, alongside her mother-in-law Judy. But the pretty artist will most likely leave her and Andy's newborn daughter Sophia at home.
The couple welcomed their first child in February. New mum Kim and Sophia have been keeping out of the spotlight, and have only been pictured a few times in public.
