FORMER tennis world No 1 Sir Andy Murray said he wished his two young daughters had been old enough to see him receive his knighthood from the Prince of Wales.
Murray was dubbed a knight by Charles during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony for a glittering tennis career that has seen him win three Grand Slams and several other titles.
He issued a brief statement about the knighthood after the ceremony, saying: “I’m very proud to receive it. It’s a nice day to spend with my family – my wife and parents are here.
“I’d have liked to [have brought] my kids but I think they’re a bit young. I’ll show them the medal when I get home.”
Murray and wife Kim are the proud parents of three-year-old Sophia Olivia and 18-month-old Edie.
The player’s career-defining moment came in the summer of 2013 when he ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a male singles champion at Wimbledon.
The knighthood was announced in the 2016 New Year Honours, capping a momentous 12 months which saw him win a second Wimbledon title, retain his Olympic crown, named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the third time, and finish the season as world number one.
Recipients are allowed to choose when to collect their honour and it is thought the delay was due to Sir Andy having a busy overseas playing schedule, but in the intervening two years he has suffered a career-threatening hip problem.
Murray announced during a tearful press conference at the Australian Open in January that he plans to retire after Wimbledon this year due to the pain in the joint. But after a monumental five-set tussle with Roberto Bautista Agut, where Murray showed he still has the ability and desire to compete at the top level, he said he would do everything he could to keep playing.
“I’ve been hitting a few balls from a stationary position,” he said. “I’m still quite a long way from testing it properly, running around a court.
“I just have to see what happens. I don’t feel any pressure that I need to come back but if my body feels good and I’m pain-free then I’ll give it a go.”
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