Daily Record

MURRAY LEGACY TO BE SET IN STONE

Scots champion to get statue erected at SW19

- BY JACKIE GRANT

ANDY Murray’s record breaking career will be recognised with a statue at Wimbledon.

Plans have been put in place to permanentl­y commemorat­e the tennis champion’s achievemen­ts.

BY JACKIE GRANT reporters@dailyrecor­d.co.uk ANDY Murray’s gran Ellen says his grandad would have been “fair chuffed” his grandson is going to be honoured with a statue at Wimbledon.

Ellen, 85, said Gordon, who died in September 2016, was the biggest fan of Andy and his tennis ace brother Jamie.

She said: “It’s a nice idea because everybody seems to be really proud of Andrew and what he’s achieved.

“His grandad watched every game he played and, as far as he was concerned, there was nobody like Andrew or Jamie. He’d have been fair chuffed with a statue.”

Officials at Wimbledon – where in 2013 Andy became the first British player in 77 years to become men singles champion – revealed the permanent tribute was among the plans.

Last night, All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis said: “We always felt that when Andy retired, that would be the appropriat­e time to recognise his extraordin­ary career.

“I am sure something like that (a statue) will be done but meanwhile down at the club he is seen as a highly respected person both on and off the court.

“We are very fond of him and he is a great person to have around the club.” A statue of three-time Wimbledon champion Fred Perry was unveiled at the club’s grounds in 1984.

Last night, those close to Andy, who last week announced his retirement due to hip problems, backed the statue idea.

Brian Melville, who coached Andy as a seven-year-old in Dunblane and lives next door to the star’s dad Willie, said a statue would be a “fitting tribute”.

Brian, 68, said: “Andy is the most successful player of his generation and a statue at Wimbledon would be nice. I’d definitely go to Wimbledon to see it.”

Andy hopes to bring the curtain down on his career at Wimbledon in July.

He was due to face Roberto Bautista Agut in the Australian Open early today.

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 ??  ?? TRIUMPH Andy with trophy in front of Fred Perry statue. Pic: SNS Group
TRIUMPH Andy with trophy in front of Fred Perry statue. Pic: SNS Group
 ??  ?? BIGGEST FANS Gordon and Ellen
BIGGEST FANS Gordon and Ellen

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