World No. 1 Andy Murray has rewritten the record books after winning the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the year award for the second consecutive year and third time overall.
The Wimbledon champion was one of the favourites to win the biggest award in British sport following his stellar 2016 season. This year Murray reached his maiden French Open final and won his third major title at the Wimbledon championships followed by a gold medal at the Rio Olympics. It was however after the US Open where he excelled on the ATP tour. As his rivals struggled to find consistency, the Brit clinched five consecutive titles, achieving a win-loss of 25-0 since October.
“I would like to thank everyone that voted (for me), I really appreciate all of your support.” Murray said during a special trophy presentation in Miami.
“I would like to thank my team. They made a lot of sacrifices for me, they spend a lot of time away from their families.”
“It has been an amazing year for British sport and I am proud to be part of that.” He later added.
Reflecting on his sensational year from his training camp in Miami, the world No.1 told the BBC that it was his triumph over Milos Raonic at the Wimbledon championships that was a turning point in his season.
“Winning Wimbledon for the second time after losing a lot of the big finals in the last few years was really important for my confidence.” Said Murray.
“Obviously, the Olympics was amazing and to finish the year world number one is something that I never done before.”
“The last six months was the best of my career on the court.”
Relive the moment Andy Murray became 2016 #Wimbledon champion. #SPOTY https://t.co/CEtKEN4nJK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) 18 December 2016
It wasn’t just the tennis court where Murray found himself in unfamiliar situations this year. In February, his wife Kim gave birth to their first child, a baby girl called Sophia Olivia. Getting to grips with fatherhood as well as playing on the tour, the 29-year-old now realises that there is more to life than tennis.
“It made me realise that tennis isn’t the most important thing anymore and there is more to life than my sport. Away from the court I am a lot happier, I don’t think about tennis all of the time like I use to. It has obviously helped my performance on the court.”
Becoming the first British man to top the Emirates ranking, Murray has his work cut out to stay ahead of the rest next year. With the return of Roger Federer as well as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both bidding to regain their form, the Brit admits that he faces tough challenges from both old rivals and rising stars.
“Now that I have got to number one, it has taken a lot of work to get there and I want to stay there for as long as I can. It’s going to be tough, I’m getting older now.” He said.
“A lot of the younger guys coming up are really big talents. I will give it my best shot, but it is going to be hard.”
Murray’s tribute to British tennis
The limelight might have been on the Wimbledon champion, but Murray ensured that his fellow teammates also receive an honourable mention. On the WTA Tour Johanna Konta, who reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, became the first woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to break the top 10 in 2016. Meanwhile, his brother Jamie topped the doubles rankings.
“It has been a great year for tennis in the UK. We had jo Konta getting into the top 10 in the singles on the women’s side, my brother (Jamie) got to No.1 in doubles and Gordon Reid in the wheelchair singles and Andy Lapthorne in the Quad singles finishing No.1 as well.” Said Murray.
“It has been a great year for (British) tennis and I’m proud to be part of that.”
Great Britain currently has six top 100 players, three on the ATP Tour and three on the WTA.
In British sport, the BBC Sports Personality Award has been an annual prize handed out since 1954 in recognition of athletes sporting achievements. Murray is only the fourth tennis player in history to win the prize after Ann Jones, Virginia Wade and Greg Rusedski. He is also the first athlete in history to win the award three times, overtaking boxer Henry Cooper, Formula One drivers Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, who has won the title twice in their careers.
Congratulations Andy Murray!#SPOTY again! Although it was no thanks to his wife 😉 https://t.co/MoAAz0Yo9o
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) 18 December 2016
