Andy Murray Wimbledon win will set him up for life

Victory at Wimbledon tomorrow would set Andy Murray and generations of his family up for life, according to a leading Scottish sporting entrepreneur.

Murray, 26, will stride onto Centre Court for his second successive Wimbledon final, with world No.1 Novak ­Djokovic standing between the Scot and true greatness.

Hundreds of Scots crowded Festival Square last night to witness Murray progress to the final by winning a four-set thriller over giant Pole Jerzy Janowicz.

The British Olympic gold medallist’s career winnings from tennis stand at £18 million, but his overall worth has been tipped to double overnight if he becomes the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the All England Club title.

Businessman and fitness guru John Laurie, who established health group Burn It Fitness, said: “Winning Wimbledon would mean Andy was made for life. There’d be so many opportunities.

“Fred Perry is still an exclusive brand posthumously, so for Andy Murray it’s not only him not needing to work again, it’s his descendants that would never have to work again. The name Andy Murray would go down in history, it would be attached to clothing labels, tennis apparel. It’d be a lifetime’s worth of money.

“Even if nothing happened after a Wimbledon victory, his net worth would still be up to the high tens of millions as an individual.”

Many of those cheering on Andy in the semi-final vowed to go back to Festival Square for the final.

Marketing officer Kate Sheppard, 28, shared strawberries and sparking wine with Polish-born friend Sabina Kubica, 33.

“There’s so much pressure on the poor guy,” she said. “He’s world No.2 and he’s fantastic. I don’t think anyone will be too hard on him if he loses.”

American-born Callum Grieve, 44, has got behind Murray since moving to Edinburgh. He said: “It would just be fantastic for someone from Britain to win Wimbledon.”

Leanne Cross, 41, from Stockbridge, will borrow chairs from her office near Festival Square to watch the final in comfort on the big screen.

She predicted playing in the longest semi-final in Wimbledon history would have taken it out of Murray’s opponent Djokovic, saying: “I’m behind Andy all the way.”

Petrophysicist Chris Reed, 25, will set up two screens at home so he can watch his twin passions – the Wimbledon final and Formula One.

He said: “I’d love for Andy to win, but I wouldn’t put money on it.” Pubs across the Capital were also making last-minute arrangements to get behind the Scottish underdog.

Staff at West End drinking spot Ghillie Dhu will wear caps bearing Murray’s name for a one-off Centre Court Wimbledon party.

Venue manager Ben Cochrane said: “We’ve done a strawberry and Pimm’s cheesecake and we’re doing free canapes and jugs of Pimm’s for all the guests as well.

“It’s just to make a real atmosphere because potentially this is going to be a historic moment in Scottish sport.”

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