A BRIT SPECIAL Ace Andy on top of the world
The Scot, 29, needed to make the final of the Paris Masters to overtake Serbia’s Novak Djokovic as the world’s best – but his semi-final opponent Milos Raonic withdrew before the match started yesterday, giving Murray a walkover to the final and the world No.1 position.
No British player has topped the standings since the ATP tour points system was introduced in 1973.
The achievement for Murray comes at the end of another year of triumph, who won his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles in 2016.
“It feels a little bit strange how it’s happened and obviously unfortunate that Milos is injured,” said Murray, who is the second-oldest man to claim the top spot since the rankings began.
“To get to this stage is about 12 months of tournaments. The last few months have been the best of my career and I’m very proud to get to this moment.”
And he can celebrate his new ranking in style today with victory over American John Isner in what will be his 12th final of arguably the greatest year of his career.
“I feel like getting to No.1 isn’t about this week, or about last week. It’s been many years of work to get here,” he MIKE SWANN added. “The most satisfying thing is it’s been such a difficult thing to do in my career.
“At the beginning of my career, I always wanted to win a Grand Slam but now that I’ve gotten older, getting to No.1 was something I have tried to do.
“I needed to improve my consistency and the last couple of seasons I have done that. I’m happy to have done that.”
He is only the fourth man to top the rankings since Andy Roddick in 2004 – and in Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Djokovic, Murray follows arguably three of the greatest players of all time.
His proud mum Judy tweeted her congratulations, yesterday, posting: “You’ve come a long way baby,” alongside a picture of a young-looking Andy and her at the net. Speaking in the French capital, Raonic said his leg injury could now affect his participation in the season-ending Tour finals in London. “Yesterday I started feeling something in my leg, this morning I had trouble getting out of bed,” he said. “I did an MRI and they found I have a grade one tear in my right quad and I am not able to compete.” ATP president Chris Kermode said: “Andy has shown dedication, hard work and determination in his bid to get to No.1. “It’s difficult to think of a player more deserving of this accolade – what is more, in one of the toughest eras in the history of our sport. “He has had a phenomenal season and fully deserves this latest recognition, which confirms his status as the best player in the world.”
Djokovic was considered virtually untouchable at the start of the year and wins over Murray in the finals of the Australian and French Opens did little to alter that.
But after reuniting with former coach Ivan Lendl, Murray took off in pursuit of the spot Djokovic had occupied for 122 weeks.
He won at Queen’s and Wimbledon and then in Rio, Beijing, Shanghai and Vienna.
The ranking changes are made official tomorrow.
But Murray is not the first in his family to top the rankings – brother Jamie reached the top spot in men’s doubles earlier this year.