Wimbledon: David Cameron proposes knighthood for Andy Murray
British media celebrates 26-year-old Scotsman winning his seventh Grand Slam final on the seventh day of the seventh month against Novak Djokovic.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: July 08, 2013 04:19 pm IST
The British media is going gaga over Andy Murray's historic Wimbledon triumph on Sunday. The top-selling Sun tabloid has devoted an entire pullout - Born to Wim -- after Murray became the first British winner since 1936 to clinch the men's singles crown. Scotsman Murray defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to trigger some unbridled joy in the media.
Britain's sport-loving Prime Minister has also joined the party. David Cameron has hinted that Murray will be recommended for knighthood. The PM said honours were decided independently, but "frankly, I can't think of anyone who deserves one more".
Cameron was lavish in his praise for Murray. After watching the final from the royal box at Wimbledon, Cameron said: "It was a fantastic day for Andy Murray, for British tennis and for Britain ... we were wondering yesterday morning, 'Do we dare to dream that this is possible?' and he proved absolutely that it was."
English newspapers have indeed gone to town with the Sun leading the way with its first five pages devoted to Murray. "And of Hope and Glory," declared the tabloid, saying Murray's triumph ended a tennis drought of sorts. "Finally, after 77 years, 15 PMs, three monarchs...Brit man wins Wimbo", wrote the Sun.
More serious publications like the Times and the Telegraph also rejoiced with both newspapers devoting several pages to capture each and every moment of Murray's triumph.
"The History Boy," said the Times, dedicating the first eight pages to 'Murray-mania." "Heaviest of burdens is finally lifted to an entire nations' relief," said another headline leading to a section on the first British winner since Fred Perry.
"At Last' read the front page of the Daily Telegraph sports section, which included a 12 page Wimbledon special, and the Daily Mail tabloid which offered readers a 12 page souvenir section and victory poster.
"After 77 years, the wait is over," was the Telegraph's top headline, hailing the 26-year-old Murray as a "Colossus of the court who faced up to failures".
The Daily Mirror said Murray was in 'Seventh Heaven', highlighting not only the 77-year gap but also the seven day age gap between Murray and Djokovic, Murray breaking the Serb in the seventh game of each set and winning his seventh Grand Slam final on the seventh day of the seventh month.
"It's magic as Andy exorcises all those demons of British tennis," it added.