Sir Andy Murray has struck yet another sponsorship deal: promoting pet food with his puppy.
Bonnie, an eight-month-old, liver-coloured flat-coated retriever, will join the two-time Wimbledon champion as an ambassador for food produced by Purina.
The pair will be promoting the pet nutrition company’s Pro Plan range in a new marketing campaign that also involves other tennis players and their furry friends.
Murray topped the world rankings and won three Grand Slams during his career
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It adds to a varied portfolio of post-tennis career endorsements that Murray, who hung up his competitive racket after the Paris Olympics last year, has signed up for in recent months. That includes golf brand Callaway, the shortbread maker Walker’s, and potato supplier Albert Bartlett.
The other tennis stars joining Murray for the Purina campaign include the Italian Jasmine Paolini, a top ten-ranked player, with her dog Cesare; and Cagla Buyukakcay, the first Turkish woman to win an ATP title, who features with her cat Izo.
Gaël Monfils, from France, and his Ukrainian wife, Elina Svitolina — both former top ten players — are also on board with their dog Wizz.
Murray, 38, told followers on social media in July his family had adopted a new dog. Their previous dog, Rusty, a border terrier, died in November last year.
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On the Purina deal Murray said he had already learnt a lot more about pet nutrition.
“Bonnie only joined us this spring, and she’s such a big part of our family already, so for me it’s important that we prioritise her health and nutrition,” he said.
“Throughout my career, nutrition has been key to my performance, and so it makes sense that we do this for Bonnie too, because she’s going to be busy as she keeps up with life in the Murray house.”
Harriet Morley, from Purina Europe, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this partnership. Assembling this squad of professional athletes is the perfect way to help inspire cat and dog owners to care for their pets in the same way top players prioritise their own health and nutrition.
“We are proud to be working alongside Andy Murray and his beautiful dog Bonnie for this partnership — alongside the rest of the squad — to connect with tennis fans and pet owners alike.”
Murray has longstanding business interests beyond his recent endorsements. The owner of the five-star Cromlix Hotel, near his native Dunblane, holds an investment portfolio of more than 40 start-ups.
That is largely made up of companies in sectors in which he has a personal interest, such as sports, nutrition and technology.
There is also a growing art collection which is split between the walls of Cromlix and Murray’s home in Surrey.
Earlier this year The Sunday Times Rich List estimated Murray’s net worth to be £110 million.