Arise Sir Andy? Politicians join calls for honours after ‘brilliant’ victory

By MARTYN MCLAUGHLIN
Published on 12/09/2012 03:18

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond led tributes to Andy Murray from the nation’s politicians, hailing his “brilliant” victory and predicting his US Open title would be the first of several grand slam wins.

• First Minister Alex Salmond praises ‘fantastic performance’ by the world no 3

• Prime Minister David Cameron tweets his congratulations

• Murray’s victory hailed as ‘phenomonal’ by former British no 1 Greg Rusedski

• Former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd praises ‘dazzling performance’ by Dunblane star

• Murray wins title 76 years to the day after Fred Perry won last UK mens’ singles Grand Slam title

From Holyrood to Westminster, there was lavish praise for the Scot’s monumental performance at Flushing Meadows, and calls for him to be recognised with a knighthood and other honours after a successful summer which also saw Murray win a gold and silver medal at London 2012.

Praising the “fantastic performance” by the 25-year-old, Mr Salmond said: “This is another brilliant win over Novak Djokovic and continues an amazing year for Andy. Now Olympic and US Open champion, Andy truly is a Scottish sporting legend and I’m certain that more grand slam titles will follow.”

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Murray and said his win provided the nation with yet another reason to celebrate after the success of TeamGB and ParalympicsGB.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street later, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted for him. It’s a huge achievement. For 76 years Britain has waited for a grand slam win in tennis and Andy has done it in huge style.

“It [takes] immense physical and mental endurance to win a game like that. I’m a keen tennis player myself and I can hardly last five games, let alone five sets. You are all on your own in singles tennis – there’s no-one to blame but yourself when it goes wrong – and he should have all our praise for such a magnificent game.”

Johann Lamont, Scottish Labour leader, said: “Andy Murray has shown enormous physical and mental strength, never giving up and always believing in himself. Victory at the US Open rounds off a great summer of sport.”

Her deputy, Anas Sarwar, led the calls for Murray to be knighted in the wake of his “historic achievement”. He said: “It is only right and proper that his achievements are recognised and I can think of nothing better than ‘arise Sir Andy’.”

Keith Brown, the SNP MSP for Dunblane, suggested another honour would be fitting for the son of Dunblane.

He said: “Dunblane is extremely proud of Andy and inspired by his success. That is why I believe he should be given the freedom of Stirling and the freedom of Dunblane. He is a world-class Scottish sporting star and truly deserves his win.”