ANDY Murray has hinted for the first time that he could be prepared to accept a knighthood for his services to tennis, even if he still feels "too young for something like that".
The 29-year-old from Dunblane became Britain's first-ever year-end World No 1 in the sport when he defeated his great rival Novak Djokovic to claim his maiden ATP World Tour Finals title, at the end of a year which also saw him claim his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles.
While Andy and Jamie both already possess an OBE, there will be a predictable clamour for him to follow the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Jackie Stewart as Scottish sporting knights of the realm, perhaps as early as the Queen's New Year honours. The Scot said last night that it was always nice to be recognised for his services for the sport, even if it would feel slightly odd for him to be introduced at Melbourne Park in January for the Australian Open as 'Sir Andy Murray'.
Read more: More Miami strife beckons as Murray focuses on keeping himself on top of the world
"I mean, I don't know [how I would feel]," said Murray. "Obviously it is the highest honour you can get in this country. I feel too young for something like that, possibly. I don't think about that stuff much, really. When I win any award or am presented with anything it is nice because it is recognition for what you have given your life to, up to now anyway. But I am still young and there are still a lot of things that can go wrong, I could still mess up and make mistakes. I am just trying to keep doing what I am doing, working hard, and achieving stuff."
On the subject of awards, Murray's heroics this year have already seen him installed as a short-priced favourite for the BBC sports personality of the year award for 2016. Should he win it he would become the first-ever three times winner of the title, but he confirmed last night that he would be unable to attend the star-studded ceremony in person, which will be held at the Genting Arena in Birmingham.
He will be in the midst of his pre-2017 training block in Miami, but will make time to return to Scotland this December to attend his dad Willie's marriage to his long-term partner Sam and the stag do the week beforehand. He received the award by video link-up from Florida when he won the first time in 2013, then accepted it in person last year at Belfast's Odyssey Arena.
Read more: More Miami strife beckons as Murray focuses on keeping himself on top of the world
"I don't think I am going to be able to go this year - I would have done if my dad wasn't getting married," said the Scot. "I would have gone to Miami a bit earlier and then would have come back for it. But because I am not able to go to Miami until I am, I am only going to get two weeks training in. If I was to come back and lose a few days, I can't really afford to."
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