"It's inspiring to watch" NFL Star Kirk Cousins about Andy Murray

NFL Quarterback Kirk Cousins had a chance to meet Andy Murray in Newport and he sat down with ATP to explain what tennis means to him.

Kirk Cousins is a tennis fan having picked up the sport as a hobby during the offseason. He simply fell in love with it and he's been paying close attention to things going on in the world of tennis. Andy Murray meanwhile is playing in Newport at the Hall of Fame Open and they linked up.

Speaking about the encounter, Cousins said:

“I admire your grit. That’s the word that comes to mind when I think of him: his grit, toughness, the ability to come back from injury. Tennis is already mentally [difficult] as a singles player, you’re on your own. Matches can get long, you need to dig deep. It can be mentally and emotionally heartbreaking. The way he’s handled not only his career, but individual matches, it is inspiring to watch and kind of helps me with what I’m doing.”

Cousins further expanded on his love for tennis:

“I love the sport. I was looking for a way to train in the offseason and not just do boring training, but do something fun. Thought about pickup basketball, but was concerned about the risk of injury, so ended up doing tennis and just fell in love with it. Didn’t realise just how much it would carry over to playing quarterback. Can’t get enough of it. That’s why I’m here in Newport today.”

He also touched upon things that he learned by observing the big three:

“I think the longevity, the body work. Tennis is a grind on their bodies physically. The travel and just watching how they take care of themselves, I think there’s something there with trying to play as long as you can. I think they’re setting a good example with the work they’re putting in to take care of their bodies.”