Sir Andy Murray
ANDY MURRAY IS HONORED BY QUEEN
ELIZABETH II AFTER HIS BEST SEASON ON TOUR
London/England January 1st 2017
HEAD’s Andy Murray started 2017 as the youngest man ever knighted in modern Britain after being named to the New Year's Honors list by Queen Elizabeth II. The recognition was given to Murray for his services to tennis and charity.
The 29-year-old Scotsman had previously received an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) medal from HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in October 2013 after winning his first Wimbledon crown in July. This past year, though, surpassed anything Murray had previously done in his career.
Murray is the first active tennis player to receive the knighthood honor. "I still feel like Andy Murray - that feels more normal. But I am happy with the knighthood, and it is a nice way to start the New Year", said Murray.
The ATP No. 1 wrapped up the holiday weekend with a defeat of Milos Raonic 6-3, 7-6(6), a repeat of last summer's Wimbledon final in a playoff match. His win came at the Mubadala exhibition in Abu Dhabi, with the holiday weekend experience putting him in good shape for his first ATP event of 2017 at Qatar, where he and HEAD stablemate Novak Djokovic lead the field; Murray takes a 24-match ATP win streak into that tournament.
Murray, who recommends the HEAD Graphene XT Radical, has insisted - especially to Wimbledon officials - that he prefers not to be introduced as Sir Andy at the Championships, but only as Andy Murray. The Scotsman owns two career titles in Abu Dhabi but had to settle for his run-off contest with Raonic at the latest edition.
"I’ve played here a number of times and I’ve always enjoyed it. You’re practicing and playing matches against some of the best players in the world, so it’s a great way to start the year and get into a good rhythm. It sharpens you up and I’m happy to be back,” Murray said.
With this Murray is building for the Australian Open, where he is trying to win the Down Under major for the first time.
