WORLD NO.1
and he’s ours!
DELIGHTED Andy Murray has revealed his joy at becoming the first British singles tennis player to be crowned world number one.
The Dunblane sensation needed to reach the final of the Paris Masters to replace Novak Djokovic as the top- ranked player on the planet, and did so yesterday when Milos Raonic pulled out before their semi-final.
Climbing to the top of the rankings capped what has been a remarkable year for Murray, who has also won Wimbledon and Olympic gold in 2016.
He said: “It’s been many years of work to get here – I’m happy to have done that.”
Mum Judy was one of the first to congratulate her son after he ended Djokovic’s 122 weeks as number one.
Marking the historic day, she posted an old picture of herself with her son on Twitter with the message: “You’ve come a long way baby.”
Judy then posted again to say a band had struck up Flower Of Scotland at the Bercy Arena where Murray is competing in Paris, and that she was about to crack open the bubbly in celebration.
Inspirational Murray heads an elite group of Scots who have led the world in their chosen sport.
He joins the likes of snooker legends Stephen Hendry and John Higgins, darts supremo Gary Anderson and even his own brother, Jamie, who was named the world’s number one tennis doubles player earlier this year.
And experts say marvellous Murray’s latest achievement is set to put a spring in the step of the nation.
Psychologist professor Cary Cooper said: “It’s absolutely brilliant, the whole country will rejoice. Everybody will get a boost from this like we did from the Olympics – it’s the same kind of thing.”
The University of Manchester expert added: “I suspect he will be Sir Andy Murray soon.”
Murray will play American John Isner in today’s final.
Super fan Jamie MacDonald, 29, said: “It’s so amazing. It has been a long quest to get there.
“He’s battled away to number two which is an achievement in itself but to finally get to number one, there aren’t many players who have done that.”
Jamie, who founded the Stirling University Barmy Army eight years ago in support of Andy, added: “He has been part of the greatest era of tennis – between him, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, they must have around 40 grand slam titles.
“With his Wimbledon win, it’s a positive sign for British tennis.
“I know his family would love for more kids to get out and get involved in tennis because of it. “It is a great opportunity.” Andy is also in line for a sponsorship and advertising windfall after becoming world number one.
Brand consultant Lou Ellerton said: “He’s a stable and well- thought- out character who stops and thinks before he speaks.
“Most people think he’s a thoroughly nice guy and that’s market able in a different way.”
He will be officially confirmed world number one when the revised world rankings are released tomorrow.
At 29, Murray becomes the oldest first- time number one since Australian John Newcombe in 1974.