ANDY Murray has said it is a “shame” to be missing out on the chance to play at Wimbledon this year, and suggested that as an ageing player, his days of competing in Grand Slams are numbered.

But in advice to young players, the Scottish tennis star told them

winning and losing were not crucial, adding: “Enjoying playing a sport and being active is the most important thing.”

Murray’s comments came during a surprise appearance at the Duchess of Cambridge’s virtual visit to a south London school. He revealed he has spent much of his time keeping fit by riding his bike rather than practising on court.

It is currently Wimbledon fortnight but this year’s tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

During the video call, Murray, a two-time men’s singles champion, was asked if he missed playing matches. He replied: “I think missing the big competitions, because I’m getting old for a tennis player, you never know how many opportunities you’re going to have left to play the biggest competitions. So missing Wimbledon this week is obviously a shame.”

Murray’s career was put in doubt after he was plagued by a hip problem that required surgery in 2019, but he returned to the sport and

last month competed in the Battle of the Brits tournament, reaching the semi-finals.

Speaking during the video call, made last week, to pupils from Bond Primary School in Mitcham, the tennis star, who has three young children with his wife Kim Sears, said he had found the first five or six weeks of lockdown manageable. But he admitted he had “started to find it probably a bit harder to find things to do for the kids, to stay creative with ideas and games for them to enjoy”.

He said: “We’re doing the home schooling which is difficult, but at times I have really enjoyed it as well.”

Murray, 33, did not play tennis for around 10 weeks, he said, instead staying in shape with cycling.

“I was going out on my road bike, which was something I’ve never done before, so that’s something kind of new that I learned and have enjoyed during lockdown,” he said. “It’s quite important in these times to stay as active as you can because it is good for the mind as well. There have been some challenges but I guess sometimes when you go through difficult moments like this you learn to appreciate the things you maybe took for granted sometimes?

“I’ll definitely make sure I spend more time with my family and friends when I get the opportunity.”

The duchess told him: “There’s lots of budding tennis players here at Bond Primary School as well. Have you guys got any questions you want to ask Andy?”

The player was asked why he picked tennis as a career, whether he remembered his first tennis match and about comebacks from difficult times. Murray spoke of the importance of having good family and friends around him to help “moving forward and working hard through setbacks”.

Kate asked: “And, Andy, have you got any tips for these guys if they want to take up tennis a bit more professionally?”

“The most important thing is to have fun,” Murray said. “If you’re enjoying it, you get more out of your lessons and your practising. Listen to your coach, that’s very important. That’s the two most important things at your age.

“If you’re competing or playing any matches, try really hard in them. But winning and losing isn’t the most important thing.

“Enjoying playing a sport and being active is the most important thing. If you do go on to choose it as your career, obviously the winning and losing changes a bit.”

During Wimbledon fortnight, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), which runs the championships, has been staging Wimbledon Recreated, a campaign to promote the tournament, tennis and sport through coverage of archive matches.