Andy Murray has clinched the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the year award for the second time in his career.
Murray ended 2015 at world No.2 which is the highest year-end ranking of his career. His biggest achievement occurred in the Davis Cup when he guided Great Britain to their first title since 1936 after defeating Belgium 3-1. He became only the fourth man in history to win 11 Davis Cup rubbers within the same year. Outside of the Davis Cup Murray has won titles in Munich, Madrid and Montreal. His best performance at the four major tournaments this year was was runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
The British No.1 is the first tennis player in history to win the award multiple times (2013 and 2015). Murray is one of only four tennis players that have won the title since the introduction of the award in 1954. The three other tennis player to win the award are Ann Jones (1969), Virginia Wade (1977) and Greg Rusedski (1997).
The 28-year-old beat third place Jessica Ennis-Hill (Athletics) and second place Kevin Sinfield (rugby league) to the title. After receiving the reward, an emotional Murray spoke of his delight after starting off with a joke.
“I received a text from a mate with a link to an article. It said that Andy Murray is duller than a weekend in Worthing, I though that was a bit harsh to Worthing”. Murray joked.
“It’s very humbling to be here in front of all these athletes. I’m a huge sports fan”.
The world No.2 spoke about the progress of the British Davis Cup team who five years ago was playing in the second group of the Euro/Africa Zone.
“This has been a huge journey, five years ago we were bottom and now we are top. I never thought that would be possible”. The two-time Grand Slam champion said.
“I dedicate my life to this sport, I work as hard as I can to make all of you proud”.
There was also success for the British Davis Cup team who won the team of the year award. It is only the second time in history that tennis has won the category and the first time since 1978. In 1978 the award was given to the Davis and Wightman Cup tennis teams (the Wightman Cup was an annual team tennis competition for women contested between teams from the United States and Great Britain).
Davis Cup captain Leon Smith spoke about the award and paid tribute to the players’ family who has been supporting them throughout the year. He also hopes that Great Britain’s Davis Cup performance will be a boost to the future of British tennis.
“It is hugely humbling to receive the award, it is very prestigious. It’s been 79 years since we last won the Davis Cup so let’s hope it doesn’t take another 79 years to win asgain”. Smith joked.
“I hope that we will now get a lasting and meaningful legacy for British tennis” He added.
Cheeky Red carpet with the #daviscupteam #SPOTY #SPOTY2015 pic.twitter.com/MnvmNteGbd
— James Ward (@JamesWardtennis) December 20, 2015
Full list of results (BBC Sports Personality of the year)
Andy Murray 361,446 (35% of total votes)
Kevin Sinfield 278,353
Jessica Ennis-Hill 79,898
Tyson Fury 72,330
Lewis Hamilton 48,379
Chris Froome 39,007
Mo Farah 31,311
Max Whitlock 25,925
Greg Rutherford 23,492
Lizzie Armitstead 22,356
Adam Peaty 13,738
Lucy Bronze 13,236.
