Andy's so glad to be with Kim

THEY say behind every great man is a great woman - and no one knows that better than young tennis ace Andy Murray.

From tomorrow all eyes will be on the 22-year-old Scot as he vies to become the first British Wimbledon champ for 83 years.

But his transformation from stroppy teenager to national hero is mainly down to his gorgeous girlfriend of four years Kim Sears.

And for the next two weeks, the pretty blonde will be spending her time doing his laundry, his cleaning and soothing his nerves - so Andy can concentrate on nothing but tennis.

But don't think of her as a dutiful stay-at-home girlfriend who lives only for her man.

Brainy Kim, 21, is about to finish an English literature degree at Sussex University and has ambitions of a career in publishing.

Besotted Andy, of Dunblane, Perthshire says: "When we get together we've always got something to talk about, and the relationship seems a bit fresher.

"She doesn't want to follow me around on tour. She wants to have her own career, not just pose in Hello! magazine." Last week the couple - who have been together for four years - moved into a £5.45 million mansion in Surrey with their border terrier Maggie.

But despite Andy's growing wealth and status, they shun the celebrity lifestyle - preferring quiet nights in to swanning around on red carpets.

Andy says: "I'm lucky. I know Kim isn't with me because I'm in the spotlight. When we met I was playing qualifiers.

"She also understands the life of a tennis player because her dad (famed tennis coach Nigel Sears) is so closely involved with the sport.

"I'm not much help with her English course, though - having read only a bit of The Rock's autobiography and a couple of Harry Potter books - but when she did drama I used to help her with her lines.

"I had to try and speak a bit of Shakespeare . . . Measure for Measure, she said it was . . . but I had no idea what I was talking about."

With his growing wealth and status Andy could have his pick of pretty girls. But unlike many celeb sportsmen, you won't find teetotal Andy gadding about town at the weekend. He explains: "It isn't that I have anything against people who want to go drinking and find as many girls as they can.

"I don't disagree with it, but it doesn't interest me that much. I don't know whether that's because I've got an older head on my shoulders or because I'm lucky to have Kim but the last thing I'd want to do is go out looking for women.

"I know guys in their 30s who just can't get out of the habit. I'd hate to get to that age and think, 'Oh, I screwed up the only girl I ever really liked because I wanted to go out and be with six or seven other girls'."

But despite his infatuation with Kim, tennis fans rarely see him displaying public affection to her.

Last week he gave her a matey high- five after his triumph at London's Queen's Club - and kissed his mum Judy instead.

But he admits it was a deliberate ploy to shield Kim from the limelight, saying: "Last time I did that (kissed Kim publicly) in San Jose, people were hanging around her house for five days, so I thought, 'Just go for my mum instead'."

In private, though, he is an extremely attentive boyfriend, buying Kim extravagent gifts like a £40,000 Mercedes to replace her £7,000 Ford Ka. Andy admits he has got a reputation as a tightwad but insists he loves indulging his sweetheart.

"I do make the odd romantic gesture," he says. "For example, I'll sneak back and buy Kim something as a present if it has caught her eye in a shop.

"But then I'll ruin the mood by saying something stupid when I give it to her.

"I don't think I'm mean. I like buying her presents - even make-up - but I draw the line at underwear. No chance!"

Champagne is also off the list as Kim hardly ever drinks. Instead they say they get their kicks from playing Scrabble and backgammon - which former tennis star Tim Henman taught Andy.

Andy's strong competitive streak means he loves it when he beats his girlfriend at Scrabble - but he always loses at backgammon to Henman.

The couple also spend their spare time pottering around doing chores like food shopping at their local Tesco.

A close source told us: "Kim buys the fruit and vegetables, while Andy loads up the trolley with Milky Way Cake Bars.

"He loves them so much, the checkout assistant will say, 'Do you think these are on special offer or something?' and Kim will reply, 'No, he just likes them a lot'."

She has kept a dignified silence since being outed as Andy's girlfriend in 2006. Her only public words have been "It's not about me, it's about Andy." But since she was introduced to him at the 2005 US Open, she has quietly set about changing his image and calming his notorious temper. The source said: "When they met, Andy was an unruly teenager with wild hair, a foul temper and prone to moods.

"Kim made him cut his hair, improved his image and got him to lighten up. She completely transformed him.

"She's amazing - the sort of girl who doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. She loves keeping the house in order and even does most of the washing up and Andy's endless laundry during Wimbledon."

No wonder Kim has got the thumbs-up from Andy's other driving force, his mum Judy. She said: "Kim has been a great support and even helps with his washing. The best thing she did was to cut Andy's hair - and he needed it!"

Meanwhile Kim's dad Nigel paid tribute to his possible future son-in-law, saying: "It's nice to talk to Andy about tennis but what is more important to me is that he is very good to Kimberley.

"He treats her very well and we are delighted with the way it's going."

Looks like Andy's a winner off the court - and with Kim and the entire nation behind him, let's hope he's a champ at Wimbledon, too.

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