He’s finally done it. On Monday, Andy Murray will be crowned World No.1 for the first time in his career – and become the first Brit to ever hold the ATP top spot.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Murray said: “It wasn’t something I dreamt of a kid. I just wanted to play tennis and become a professional tennis player and then to try and get into the top 100.”
“From No.2 to No.1 seems like a small gap. It’s only one place, but it is by far the hardest one to reach and it’s been a long time.”
It may not have been the most exciting coronation, with Murray overtaking Novak Djokovic after a quad tear forced Milos Raonic to pull out of the Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday.
However, Murray still has the chance to become the best in style if he beats John Isner today – before defending his title at the ATP World Tour Finals in London later this month.
So, as the long-term British No.1 clambers to the top of the tennis mountain, Tennis Talent looks back at a few of the moments that have defined his career so far.
The maiden title
All the way back in 2006, a fresh-faced Murray took on Lleyton Hewitt in the final of the SAP Open in San Jose. The 18-year-old beat the Australian master 2-6 6-1 7-6 to claim his first title. It was a taste of things to come.
Olympic gold in 2012
It doesn’t get much better than winning an Olympic gold medal on home turf – against Roger Federer. However, Murray won in emphatic style (6-2 6-1 6-4), much to the delight of a packed Centre Court.
First Grand Slam
It was the big one, the moment British tennis fans had been waiting decades for (76 years, to be precise). A few months after gaining national hero status at the London Olympics, Murray won his first Grand Slam, beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open 7-6(12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.
First Wimbledon title
On 7th July 2013, Britain ground to a halt. We were all glued to our screens as Murray beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to do the unthinkable: win Wimbledon. Many tears ensued.
The 2015 Davis Cup
In 2015, Great Britain won their first Davis Cup for 79 years as Murray took down Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. He called it “his most emotional win yet”. Don’t believe him? Watch the celebrations…
Second Wimbledon title
Earlier this year, a triumphant Murray built on his record-breaking run in the French Open to claim his third career Grand Slam at Centre Court. After beating fellow Brit Liam Broady in the early stages of the tournament, Murray took home the title by beating Milos Raonic in the final 6-4, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-2).
What does the future hold for Andy Murray? Perhaps a win at Roland Garros? Let us know what you think by commenting below