Terrier is Murray’s secret weapon

On the day he goes into his first ever Wimbledon semi-final, the secret to Andy Murray's new improved demeanour has been revealed by his mother, Judy Murray. It's all down to Maggie, his border terrier.

Speaking to the Independent, Judy said that Maggie, named after Rod Stewart's Maggie May, was "very important" to Britain's number one tennis player.

"The dog makes a huge difference," she said. "This morning, Kim [his girlfriend Kim Sears] went out to the shops and Andy wanted to be woken up at 9.15. I just opened the door of his bedroom and sent the dog in. She just tanks up and launches herself on the bed. She's under the covers and he's loving it. It's just so normal. He goes out in the garden and plays frisbee with her. It just helps so much to keep him relaxed."

Judy also explained why she always sits at the end of the row in the players' box on Centre Court and looks so pensive during her son's games. "I don't like talking when I watch matches. I like to just sit, which is why I always sit in the corner, so that there's nobody on one side of me.

"I have Kim on the other side, but she doesn't say much either. She's a very good supporter. She knows when is the right time to shout, when to stay quiet, when it's time to just do something reassuring or when it's time to shout 'Come on!' and really get up."

Murray has to get past the American Andy Roddick in today's semi-final if he is to reach the men's final on Sunday. Roger Federer must beat the German Tommy Haas in the other semi.