Andy Murray admits he had concerns over accepting knighthood

Sir Andy Murray admitted he did not immediately accept his knighthood due to concerns that it may have an adverse impact on his career.

Sir Andy Murray admitted he did not immediately accept his knighthood due to concerns that it may have an adverse impact on his career. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire

Murray was announced as the recipient of a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list, capping his best year to date in which he won Wimbledon for a second time, retained his Olympic title and topped the world rankings for the first time.

But at the age of 29, the Scot has plenty of time to add to his growing list of accomplishments and he briefly worried a knighthood may prove an unnecessary weight on his shoulders, after being informed by wife Kim via an email of the honour.

Murray, who was on a training camp in Miami at the time, told the Times: “I got it when I woke up in the morning, just saying that I had been offered and (asking) would I like to accept.

“I spoke to a few of the people closest to me. I didn’t have too long, but obviously you think about something like that because I do feel like it’s obviously a big honour, but with that comes maybe a little bit more responsibility.

“I’m still very young, I’m still competing and obviously don’t want anything to distract me or affect my performance on the court.”

Murray accepted the knighthood after discussing the issue with Kim and mother Judy - although brother Jamie was not confided in and only found out on the night of the announcement.

He said: “I kept it fairly quiet and just spoke to the people that I was closest with and explained what the situation was. I just tried to get the best advice possible.”

But the honour is already proving mildly awkward for Murray, who added: “A few of the players have been chatting to me about it and asking how it works, what does it mean and what do we call you. Andy is fine.”