Tennis: Andy Murray wins Wimbledon – makes British sporting history
From Belfast Telegraph
Andy Murray has made British sporting history by lifting the men’s singles title at Wimbledon.
The Scot sank to his knees as he became the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to take the singles title after an electrifying final against world number one Novak Djokovic.
Murray, 26, raised a standing ovation on Centre Court where crowds roared their support at his straight sets 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory.
He broke down in tears of joy as his triumph sank in, before sprinting across the famous lawn to embrace his girlfriend in the player’s box.
Murray, who held his trophy aloft and kissed it, said: “It feels slightly different to last year, last year was one of the toughest moments of my career.
“It was an unbelievably tough match, so many long games and I don’t know how I managed to come through that.
“That final game was unbelievable, three match points.”
Paying tribute to the huge support he has received, Murray said: “I understand how much everyone else wanted to see a British winner at Wimbledon so I hope you guys enjoyed it, I did my best.”
Asked if he had forgotten mother Judy in his immediate celebrations, he admitted: “I did forget her, I just heard squealing behind me when I was trying to get down and I turned back.”
Murray dedicated the game to coach Ivan Lendl, as well as praising his team.
He said: “I have got a great team, they have stuck by me through a lot of tough moments and this one is especially for Ivan as well.
“He did everything to try and win this when he was playing and I am glad I was able to help him out when he is coaching.
“He is a fantastic person, has worked very hard with me, is very patient with me because I am not easy at times.”
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Murray’s minted! Wimbledon champion Andy Murray’s earnings are set to soar with new sponsorship deals
A raft of new sponsorship deals could make Andy Murray one of the top earning British sportsmen of all time.
Sunday’s historic Wimbledon victory could see the 26-year-old raking in up to £15 million a year, a marketing expert has said.
The boost to his finances could put him just behind Lennox Lewis and David Beckham as one of the top earning British sports stars in history.
The Scot, who won his first grand slam at the US Open last year, was ranked at number 32 in The Sunday Times Sports Rich List 2013 with an estimated fortune of £32 million.
His victory against Novak Djokovic today has landed the Scot £1.6 million in prize money.
Nigel Currie, director of the sports marketing agency brandRapport, said the British number one will be likely to profit from a series of lucrative new contracts.
Mr Currie said a Wimbledon win proved Murray is not a one-hit wonder.
He said: “It is as a global superstar where the major earnings potential exist.
“Tennis is one of the few truly global sports.
“Along with golf it is played and followed in almost every country in the world.
“Even sports such as football or Formula 1 have struggled to win over the vital American market.
“Also being an individual sport rather than a team sport makes it much more lucrative.”
He said: “With Roger Federer beginning to show his age and his form perhaps fading, and Rafael Nadal with injury worries, it could mean that Murray and Novak Djokovic will be the main two for the next few years.
“If you’re number one or two in the world of tennis, which is such a global sport, the marketing opportunities are fantastic.
“Murray could secure some really big deals with the biggest brands.
“He’s reported to be earning £8 million or £9 million off court at the moment.
“We could see that edging up to £15 million.”
Great Britain’s Andy Murray kisses the trophy after beating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. Photo by Adam Davy/PA Wire.
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