Murphy's Blog

CHRISTMAS TREES & NO TUTU’S

I grew up on a Christmas tree farm on the shores of Lake Michigan, in a town called Ludington. Some say that I was raised by wolves; I don’t believe them. Others say I was destined to become the greatest salmon fisherman in the world; that might still happen. In the mean time, I became a tennis player and ended up a French Open Champion. My dream started when I was three years old with my Dad tying me to the fence of a tennis court while he would play with my older brother. My dad was a football hero- putting me on a tennis court and gymnastics class as off-season football conditioning… it was either ballet or gymnastics and I said “no way” to tutu’s!!

That girl cheated.

The idea was that tennis would be excellent cross training for football, but before I knew it I was playing tennis on the national stage. Actually, I was pretty good. When I was 11 years old, my family decided to leave Ludington in pursuit of greater tennis opportunities for my brother and me. Grand Rapids here we come! Fast forward to my senior year in High School- I was ranked in the top 4 in the United States in Singles and ranked #1 in doubles 4 times acquiring 16 National Doubles Titles. Where could I take this talent? Somewhere sunnier than Northern Michigan?

Boys 12 and under National Claycourts...Winston Salem NC.

GO TROJANS!!! FIGHT ON, GO SC!

I remember practicing on the tennis courts of USC and on a clear day seeing the HOLLYWOOD sign and thinking….”this is a long way from a salmon streams of Ludington.” It was at that moment that I realized that my tennis racket was a very valuable commodity and could take me on quite a journey.

My length is my strength.....freshman year USC

THE JENSEN BROTHERS ARE BORN!!

By the age of 18 I was competing in tennis tournaments all over the world. So, after 3 years of college tennis I decided to turn professional and take the ultimate gamble- become a professional Tennis Player. It took me 2 years road dogging it through Europe to break into the top 100. Finally, in 1993 I joined my brother Luke on tour and within 6 months we were French Open Doubles Champions. Rock and Roll Tennis anyone?

This was the greatest moment of my tennis life...and the best part is that I did it with my brother....now lets not drop the trophy!

Tennis has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams! My life has been anything but ordinary; extraordinary is more accurate. Luke and I have been called the most popular and entertaining doubles team in the history of the game- NUTS! Riding into stadiums on Harley Davidson’sto having supermodels occupy our player’s boxes. We reinvented the rules of Tennis etiquette.

People Magazine photo shoot- we drank Mountain Dew out of our trophies!!

LIFE AFTER TENNIS… THE DREAM CONTINUES.

When I stopped playing tennis on the ATP Tour I moved back to sunny southern California for the birth of my son William. He’s a Godsend for me. I have never met a more precious soul in my life.

The love of my life.

When my playing days were over I found myself at a crossroads, so I decided to try my hand at acting. Hey, I was living in the city of Angels, but I had no formal training as an actor. Someone told me actors get all the beautiful girls in town so I pursued acting. Ha! Eventually I landed roles in the Working Title Film “Wimbledon” and in “Tennis Anyone” playing crazy tennis stars in both… not far from the truth! One day soon after, the Tennis Channel called. They were looking for a colorful TV host for the tv show “Open Access”… my first assignment was the French Open! The next year “Murphy’s Guide” was added and the rest is really history. 100+ shows later I find myself reinventing myself again… creating my own dreams- Living my Dream.

Sharing some laughs and getting business advice from Sir Richard Branson.

This disclaimer really hurts my feelings.

On the set of Murphy's Guide to Las Vegas.

WHERE CAN YOU STILL FIND ME ON THE COURT?

Every July I coach the World Team Tennis Washington Kastles- hanging with the likes of Leander Paes, Rene Stubbs, Bobby Reynolds, Serena and Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka. Some may call that work, some may not. Billie Jean King once told me that pressure is a privilege… pressure is my middle name, Billie Jean. Did I mention we won the World Team Tennis Championships in 2009?

Championship point and another dream coming true! 2009 World Team Tennis Champions.

Prostate Cancer Foundation- an amazing organization near and dear to my heart. Michael Milken and his organization are paving the way to a cure for Prostate Cancer. You will hear me talk a lot about this cause as my family has been affected by the disease. I do everything I can to help support the PCF, and so should you. When someone gets cancer, the entire family must pull together and fight.

The Family Motto...Jensen's Never Quit!

Over my career I’ve gotten to meet some of the most interesting people in the world, travel to the most exotic locations, eat the best food, shop the best stores and live the best life. Sometimes my work doesn’t feel like work at all. Join me as I open my life to you- introducing you to all the best life has to offer. When someone asks me how I am doing, I always respond “I’m Living the Dream!” My blog will show you what I mean.

A wise man once said “life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop and look around every once in awhile your gonna miss it.” That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Buy the ticket and take the ride, because its been my experience that if you don’t your gonna miss out. Come on!!!!

COME ON!