
Wimbledon to honour Andy Murray with new statue at All England Club
Plans are afoot at Wimbledon to commemorate Dunblane tennis icon Andy Murray's glittering tennis career with a statue in his honour at the All England Club.
Sir Andy, the men's singles champion at SW19 in 2013 and 2016, retired from the sport last year and looks set to have a hand in the sculpture's creation.
The organisers at Wimbledon are aiming to unveil the statue in 2027 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the championships.
Speaking on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast, All England club chair Debbie Jevans revealed: "We're looking to have a statue of Andy Murray here and we're working closely with him and his team.
"The ambition is that we would unveil that at the 150th anniversary of our first Championship, which was 1877."
She emphasised Sir Andy's personal involvement in the project, adding that "He's got to rightly be very involved in that and him and his team will be."
Tennis legends including John McEnroe and Billie Jean King have previously voiced their support for Murray's recognition with a tribute at Wimbledon.
Marking the end of a 77-year hiatus for a Briton clinching the Wimbledon singles title, Andy finally hung up his racquet following the Paris Olympics last August.
Jevans reminisced about his final Wimbledon match, saying: "We had a great celebration for Andy when he played his last match at Wimbledon, which was on Centre Court."
"All the old players came and they greeted him and Sue Barker interviewed him."
Reflecting on Rafa Nadal's own accolade at Roland Garros, Jevans explained the unique considerations for Murray's tribute, adding: "We looked at Rafa Nadal having that sort of plaque unveiled to him at Roland Garros which was all very special. But we thought, what do we want for Andy?"
A bronze statue of Fred Perry, the last British men's champion before Murray, was put up at Wimbledon in 1984 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first singles championship.
Last week, we told how the former Olympic champ could be in a spot of bother with his own gran – after he was named as brand ambassador for a shortbread firm, despite her own famous version of the biscuits.
Murray was announced as the first-ever brand ambassador for Walker's Shortbread.
But the Wimbledon champ's own gran, Shirley Erskine, has often hit the headlines herself with her legendary shortbread.
Her recipe has even featured in a special's Mother's Day recipe book created in support of Scottish charity Mary's Meals.
The sweet treat was also a big hit with fellow contestants, pro dancers and judges when Shirley's daughter – Andy's mum Judy Murray – took part in 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
Shirley even took along a tin when invited on to Mrs Brown's Saturday night chat show and made a tin which went all the way to Wimbledon in exchange for a £100 donation to the local Dunblane Centre.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
29 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Ryan Johnson's own goal gifts Luton all three points in League One opener
Luton's first game back in Sky Bet League One following back-to-back relegations saw them edge to a 1-0 win over newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon thanks to a late own goal from defender Ryan Johnson. Matt Bloomfield's side, who were playing in the Premier League 15 months ago, had produced barely a chance of note – against a team which at the same time were finishing 10th in the fourth tier – until the Dons defender inadvertently lifted the ball over Nathan Bishop from Nahki Wells' forward punt and in off the crossbar with five minutes left. It was the first time since 2019 Luton had played at this level and an immediate return to the Championship looked like being anything but straightforward as Johnnie Jackson's visitors, fresh from victory in the League Two play-off final, contained them with relative ease for much of the match. The opening 45 minutes saw the teams muster two shots on goal between them, both off target and one of which landed on the roof of the Oak Stand behind Wimbledon goalkeeper Bishop. Visiting defender Joe Lewis might have been lucky to escape harsher punishment when he halted a clear run on goal for Wells, receiving just a yellow card for tripping the Hatters debutant when seemingly the last man. Reuell Walters finally had Luton's first shot on target after 63 minutes, drawing an outstanding one-handed save from Bishop with a drilled half-volley from range. Wimbledon looked to have done enough to earn a point, but then came Johnson's unfortunate wayward header to gift the Hatters victory.

Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'