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ndy Murray’s father spoke today of his pride in the new Wimbledon champion’s “enormous” victory.
William Murray was on Centre Court to see his son triumph and said he hoped it would inspire a new generation of British tennis stars.
He told the Standard: “It is a really good feeling — just absolutely fantastic. I’m so happy for him because he’s worked so hard for this.
“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet what this means, but when the years roll by everyone will see how significant it is. He has achieved it. It’s incredible, but he has done it.” Mr Murray suggested the 26-year-old could now go on to win more Wimbledon titles.
“You’d have to ask him but let’s hope. It’s never easy. But with this one let’s hope thousands of kids around the country will be inspired now to take up tennis.” He said the family celebrated late into the night with champagne. He added: “I thought Andy did a thoroughly professional job.
“It was a bit surreal to see him lift the trophy, I’m sure it will take a few weeks and months to realise that the Wimbledon champion is British.
“I might be biased but I truly do think that this might be the best sporting achievement by a Scottish sportsman ever.
“If other people are suggesting that, then it’s nice to hear. It’s not bad for a gangly boy from Dunblane, is it?”
Mr Murray was unable to be at his son’s first Grand Slam win at the US Open last autumn. He said: “Missing the US Open was one of those things but I have enjoyed this one.
“I think Andy brought a brilliant game and I didn’t think he was going to lose, not even at the end.
“He had plenty of composure, no tantrums, he was very, very calm.”
He revealed that Murray dropped the coveted Wimbledon trophy within an hour of winning it.
He said: “I went over to speak to him and he gave me a great hug and he dropped the cup. I don’t think it’s damaged. I hope not.
“That’s one thing about Andy, ever since he was a wee boy he was always a bit clumsy.”
Murray’s mother Judy pointed out she is now the mother of two Wimbledon champions. Her younger son, Jamie, has a mixed doubles title.
“We’ve got a Wimbledon singles champion and a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion from a little club in Dunblane.”
Mrs Murray’s parents Roy and Shirley Erskine, who watched from a sofa at a sports club in Dunblane, said the atmosphere in their grandson’s hometown was “tremendous”.
Murray called his grandparents immediately after leaving Centre Court with the trophy. “We were telling him what wonderful support there was up here and I said, ‘You better get scrubbed up because you have a ball to go to’,” said Mrs Erskine. “We’re just so thrilled for Andy. It’s wonderful.”
The couple have not missed a moment of his matches this championship. “We’re just about house-bound sitting there, but just so proud of him. Just thrilled, he’s worked so hard and he deserves it.”
Grandfather Roy said he does not believe Murray will let his historic success and all the extra attention go to his head.
“I think he will still be very committed to his tennis — he doesn’t know anything else. It’s been his way of life for the last 11 years.”
He added: “Great match, wonderful spectacle.”
Murray’s paternal grandparents Gordon and Ellen Murray, of Kilsyth in Lanarkshire, said they were nervous and unable to watch the match fully on television.
Mrs Murray hid away from the TV in the garden because she was too anxious.
“I have never been able to watch any of his matches, so I certainly wasn’t going to watch this one,” she said. “It was his grandad that came to tell me — and the phone has not stopped ringing. It’s wonderful.”
She added: “I just knew he would manage it this time around — I had a feeling. And my local church, St Patrick’s, had been saying prayers and lighting candles. We just had so many messages of support so I knew he was going to do it.”
