We would assume that most professional tennis players don’t share an interest in other sports or activities, but just like regular people, they also have hobbies and secret passions that they like to fulfill in their free time.
When it comes to hobbies, one of the trending activities for athletes is horseback riding. Why?
Well, a couple of reasons. First of all, being around horses is relaxing, which is very important for tennis players to keep a sharp mind. Additionally, horseback riding offers a great connection to nature, and spending time outdoors can boost their morale.
Last but not least, handling a big creature like a horse is a good physical workout. So, they relax, do a bit of training, and get a piece of mind.
No wonder why many tennis players share a secret passion for horses. Some even go beyond that and share an interest in horse racing and possibly place some wagers. But don’t follow their expert advice when it comes to wagering on horses, they are usually not very accurate at predicting races. If you want horse racing picks, make sure to observe predictions made by experts.
With that said, let’s go through the list of tennis players who love being around horses.
Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis has been riding since she was a toddler. However, she chose to pursue a tennis career. She was world number one in singles for 209 weeks, winning five Grand Slam singles trophies, 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, and seven in mixed.
She won Player of the Year, Doubles Team of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year from the WTA. At the age of four, this extraordinarily gifted player competed in her first event.
Martina Hingis has had more time to dedicate to her second interest, equestrian sports, after her retirement as a tennis professional. Riding has always been her pastime throughout her tennis career, and it provided a nice break and leisure from her demanding life as a top athlete.
She is also interested in equestrian activities, although she never intended for it to be more than a pastime. She enters her horses in regional jumping events and enjoys riding in front. She, on the other hand, does not want to miss out on nice rides in the countryside.
John Millman
John Millman is a professional tennis player and commentator from Australia. In the field of tennis, his life success is ranking No. 33 in the world in October 2018. Throughout his career, he has won several events and amassed a sizable trophy collection.
Tennis, however, is not his only interest. He is a hard-core horse racing fan, and in Australia, horse racing can be found around every corner.
His interest in horse racing and riding is not new to him. In reality, he has been around horses for years and claims that it is a relaxing and enjoyable activity, especially during the lockdown.
He also owns a horse and participates in horse racing. Even though he just owns a little fraction of a horse, he adds that no matter how much or how little you own, you feel a part of the trip.
Millman was introduced to horse racing by a family friend, who is now a part-owner of many horses, including Tony Gollan’s Youngblood, who won twice in nine starts. John Millman, unlike other co-owners, is actively involved in the sport, selecting trainers, races, and developing a strategy to get horses ready for races.
Roberto Bautista Agut
Roberto Bautista Agut is a professional Spanish tennis player who is ranked ninth in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He had a rather successful tennis career, winning more than $15 million in tournament prize money.
Bautista also won 10 ATP singles titles out of nineteen finals, the most recent being the Dubai Tennis Championship, an ATP 500 event in 2018.
However, this is not his only passion; many people are astonished to learn that he is an expert horse owner. Bautista Agut enjoys being around horses and has raced as a passion throughout his career. He became so enamored with the sport that he decided to invest in horses.
Bautista currently owns eight horses, and being around them in his spare time is the ideal pain reliever and relaxant. His passion for horses runs in his bloodline. His family owns a stable, and his father was also a big horse lover.
He even got injured and became quadriplegic after a horrifying fall while cleaning the stables. After he passed away, Bautista is the one who takes care of the stables.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray is one of the greatest tennis players in history. He has also held the World No. 1 ranking for one week and won three Grand Slam singles titles, two at Wimbledon and one at the US Open.
However, it appears that tennis isn’t his sole and true love, since he has been observed visiting horse races, such as the Cheltenham Festival, while being focused on tennis. He also had a recent chat with Olympic champion and jockey Nick Shelton, which you can read here.
Could this, however, imply that he would try his hand as a horseracing owner once he has more time away from tennis?
Andy Murray’s mother, Judy Murray, has indicated that when his professional tennis career comes to an end, he may follow in Sir Alex Ferguson’s footsteps and get engaged in horse racing. He is also a close buddy of Sir Alex Ferguson, and in order to get started in horse racing, you only need one friend to help you get started.
