Now watch Andy Murray soar into the superleague

By CLAIRE SMITH
Published on 12/09/2012 00:44

IT WAS one of the greatest moments in the young tennis player’s life. But as Andy Murray finally clinched the US Open title all he could think about was the whereabouts of his £2,580 watch.

“I don’t have it, I don’t have it,” he was saying to girlfriend Kim Sears. “Have you got my watch? I don’t have my watch.”

Being photographed wearing the sponsors’ gear is a key concern for today’s international sports stars, who can earn millions through endorsements.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for Swiss-made Rado watches, which signed a six-figure deal with Murray three months ago, said: “I am sure everybody who is associated with him will be very pleased.”

She could not confirm it was a condition of Murray’s contract to be photographed holding the trophy aloft while wearing his Rado D-Star Automatic Chronograph watch.

“As far as we know, Andy doesn’t normally wear his watch while he plays, because he has his wrist bands on.”

Murray, whose sponsors include Adidas, Royal Bank of Scotland, Jaguar and Head NV, already earns millions – but his latest win, together with his Wimbledon and Olympic success, will see him catapulted into the superleague.

The sportsman is estimated to have earned £7.5 million in the past 12 months, according to Forbes magazine.