Wimbledon will put up statue of Murray as top player salute career
ANDY MURRAY’S career will be recognised with a statue at Wimbledon.
Murray, who became the first British player in 77 years to win the men’s singles title at the All England Club in 2013, is retiring from tennis this year due to continuing pain in his hip.
A bronze statue of three-time Wimbledon champion Fred Perry was unveiled at the club’s grounds in 1984, and Murray’s achievements are also set to be commemorated.
All England club chief executive Richard Lewis told the BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme: “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.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic added their tributes to the outpouring of support for Murray as the Scot gears up for what could be his final professional tennis match.
Murray will face Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open today before deciding the best next course of action for his injured right hip.
“Our trajectory to the professional tennis world was pretty much similar,” said Djokovic. “His birthday is one week before mine. We’ve grown together playing junior events. We played lots of epic matches in the professional circuit.
“Obviously to see him struggle so much and go through so much pain, it’s very sad and it hurts me as his long-time friend, colleague, rival.”
“I know how not well he was,” said Federer. “I was disappointed, a little bit shocked, to know now that we’re going to lose him at some point. I hope he can play a good Australian Open and keep playing beyond that, really finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon.”