TENNIS NEWS FLASH – TELEGRAPH SPORT NAMES MURRAY THE UNITED KINGDOM’S GREATEST EVER SPORTSPERSON

Written by: Staff on 17th December 2016

TENNIS NEWS FLASH - TELEGRAPH SPORT NAMES MURRAY THE UNITED KINGDOM'S GREATEST EVER SPORTSPERSON

epa05633935 Britain's Andy Murray reacts during his men's singles match against Kei Nishikori of Japan at the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 16 November 2016. EPA/WILL OLIVER |

Editors Note: 10sBalls_com Named Judy Murray Coach Of The Year and Topped That With Coach Of The Century! Happy For The Whole Family-

Hi Grandma Shirley.

By Ricky Dimon

Telegraph Sport recently conducted a poll and afterward named Andy Murray the United Kingdom’s greatest all-time sportsperson. Votes were cast by Telegraph correspondents, 7,000 Telegraph subscribers, and 13 sporting experts, resulting in a list of the UK’s top 100 greatest all-time athletes.

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion, having lifted major trophies at the 2012 U.S. Open and twice at Wimbledon (2013 and 2016). The 29-year-old Scot also won each of the last two Olympic gold medals (London 2012 and Rio 2016). He became No. 1 in the world for the first time in his career earlier this fall and he clinched the year-end top ranking by defeating Novak Djokovic in the championship match at last month’s World Tour Finals.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Murray said. “It means a great deal, particularly when it has been voted on by the public and a panel of sportspeople and journalists I admire and respect.

“When I look at what the other people on the list have achieved, it makes me feel very humble to come out on top. It must have been a very close vote. It’s amazing to look at the names and see just how successful UK sport has been, not just now but going back over the past century and more. It makes you proud to represent the nation. There are some incredible people on the list.”

Former Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell was included on the panel of sporting experts who voted was. Campbell commented, “Being in the top three of the world would be enough for most people, but for Andy it wasn’t. Finally getting to No. 1 was about turning that adversity into success.”

Former Manchester United and English national team soccer star Sir Bobby Charlton finished second behind Murray when the voting concluded. Two-time decathlon gold medalist Daley Thompson came in third, cricket player Sir Ian Botham was fourth, and current middle distance runner Mo Farah rounded out the top five. Farah won gold medals at the London Olympics four years ago and at the Rio Olympics this summer.

Like Farah, Murray does not sound like he is satisfied just because he has reached the pinnacle of his respective sport.

“This has been a great year,” he said, “but there are improvements I can make and I’m looking forward to getting back on court in 2017.”