No greater city ambassador
Children at Dunblane Primary School hailed former pupil Sir Andy Murray as an inspiration after the world tennis star announced his plans to retire from tennis this due to injury.
The 31-year-old is a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner, two-time Olympic champion, Davis Cup champion, winner of the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals and former world No. 1.
He was knighted in the Queen’s New Year Honours list at the end of 2016 and became the first British man since 1936 to win a Grand Slam when he won the US Open title in 2012.
A golden postbox was placed in Dunblane following his 2012 Olympic victory, and he was awarded the Freedom of Stirling at a special meeting of Stirling Council during 2014. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling, where he once trained.
Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer said: “Andy Murray is an inspirational figure who has made an immense contribution to tennis both locally and nationally. He has had an outstanding career, from his early days training at Dunblane Tennis Club, to his successful Grand Slam and Olympic victories.
“He is a great role model for our young people whose aspiration and dedication has helped inspire a new generation of young people to participate in sports. Stirling could have asked for no greater ambassador to showcase the many benefits that come from a healthy, active and engaged lifestyle.
“The Freedom of Stirling is our highest civic honour and we were delighted to award it to one of our local heroes. It was a great privilege to formally recognise as a council, and celebrate as a community, Andy’s outstanding achievements.”
People in Sir Andy Murray’s hometown of Dunblane reacted with a mixture of support and sympathy when they learned of his impending retirement from the sport