Andy Murray and Kim Sears: A look back at their 10-year relationship

THEY'VE had its ups and down but Andy Murray and Kim Sears will be cementing their relationship this weekend by tying the knot in Scotland.

Andy Murray and Kim SearsGETTY

The pair met in 2005 at the US Open when both were teenagers

The happy couple are getting married in Andy's home town of Dunblane on Saturday.

It's unlikely to be a celeb-filled affair with former pro Tim Henman perhaps the most famous attendee.

But all eyes will be on the world famous tennis champion and his 27-year-old fiancee, probably the most photographed sports spectator in the world.

The couple met at a party during the US Open in 2005, when Kim was travelling with her dad Nigel, then a head coach at the Lawn Tennis Association.

Murray's wooing skills involved taking her to Brighton Pier on a date the following year.

Murray and SearsGETTY

Andy and Kim have always been keen not to attract media attention during their relationship

Having gone through my parents’ divorce, it has become important to me to work hard at having a successful relationship

Andy Murray

The most memorable part - although seemingly not for him - was when he took her on at a game air hockey at the amusement arcade.

"I’m not sure I remember this, but Kim does – she says I didn’t let her win a single point," said Murray, now also 27.

"I guess she realised then that I am just a wee bit competitive.”

Still just a teenager she flew with Andy to a tournament in California which he ended up winning, leaving her in a bit of trouble.

"I went away with him thinking it's fine because he's never going to win so I'll be back in time for school on Monday and then he did," said Kim.

Murray and SearsGETTY

Andy and Kim are pictured here with Andy's mum Judy at Queen's in 2007

"I remember saying to my mum, you've got to call in and tell them I've got the winter vomiting virus and I won't be in but then it was on the front cover of the paper so I was busted."

At school she got straight As at A-level before heading to the University of Sussex to study English Literature.

Her studies and his time away on tour eventually saw cracks appear.

Judy Murray and KimGETTY

Kim, along with Andy's mother Judy, has been a regular supporter of the tennis ace

Murray and SearsGETTY

The pair are regulars at the London Fashion Week, here pictured in 2010

Three years after it had all began, the romance ended abruptly in November 2009 when Kim moved out of the £5million mansion the pair shared in Surrey, just six months after moving in.

Kim went back to her parents' home in West Sussex.

A source insisted there was no one else involved, with the pair's youth blamed by friends.

A friend of Andy's said: "There were no blazing rows, or anything like that. Kim left Andy’s house under amicable circumstances.

"They are still in contact with one another and remain good friends."

But before Wimbledon 2010 had come around the pair were reunited.

Kim SearsGETTY

The stresses of Andy's travelling and the time spent apart took its strain on the pair

And Andy recently insisted they now cope well when apart.

"She doesn’t come to loads of tournaments as I also find being away from each other good as well," he said.

“If you spend three months in a row together, by the end of it we’re arguing.”

But she was there to cheer him on in both his Olympics 2012 gold medal win and his long-awaited Wimbledon win the following year.

Inevitably rumours started, with fans eager to see the star settling down.

This was not helped by probing interview questions and quotes from Andy's grandmother.

Kim SearsGETTY

Pictured here at the US Open in 2007, when Kim had just started university

Two years ago the tennis ace snapped at Holly Willoughby when she asked him on ITV's This Morning about tying the knot.

"I haven't planned it," he told Holly.

"But I only met you like ten minutes ago, so I wouldn't be telling you first."

Just weeks prior to that, his grandmother poured fuel on the fire by saying: "Their relationship has stood the test of time and she’s a lovely girl.

“She keeps herself quiet in the background but is tremendously supportive.”

A false alarm followed last year when he told a fan on Twitter they would get married after Wimbledon.

Kim and Andy huggingGETTY

Kim was there to see Andy win Olympic gold in 2012

Kim was quick to respond: "His tweets need a sarcastic disclaimer."

But by the end of the year he popped the question for real.

Soon a £200,000 engagement ring joined her trademark Ray Ban sunglasses when she was snapped courtside.

And now the couple seem happier than ever.

Kim and AndyGETTY

Kim and Andy will tie the knot after a 10-year relationship on Saturday

Away from supporting Andy, Kim has forged a career painting pets.

On her website she said she would love to right a novel one day and admits a passion for country music.

While Andy, who parents divorced when he was young, was always keen to be sure before tying the knot. Now he is.

"At the end of the day, especially if I’ve lost a match, I don’t like talking about tennis, so it’s nice to have someone to talk to about other stuff," he once said.

"As I have got older, having gone through my parents’ divorce, it has become important to me to work hard at having a successful relationship."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?