AS a local of Dunblane, I would like to offer a few words of appreciation of Andy Murray at the end of what was obviously a dreadfully difficult week for him.
At an emotional press conference in Australia, he confirmed that his next tournament might be his last, and that he was targeting a Wimbledon farewell at the latest.
This was due to a worsening hip problem, which operations have failed to sufficiently quell. The pain he endures means it is no longer feasible for him to play the sport.
For me, as I am sure for many others, tennis will never be quite the same again. Over the past 15 years or so, since he was regularly part of the tennis scene on our screens, he has become more than just a master of his game, but a national hero and role model for the entire nation.
READ MORE: Peter Ross: An open letter to Andy Murray
Until Murray made his mark, Dunblane was famous for very different reasons. It was famous for a tragedy of monstrous proportions.
I remember only too well that terrible morning of March 13, 1996, when I was driving along the Hillfoots road towards Blairlogie and the announcement came over the radio that there had been a shooting at Dunblane Primary School. The dreadful event and its aftermath touched the lives of so many families in Dunblane and the surrounding district.
It was much later, when Murray started to make headlines with his tennis successes, that we learned how lucky he had been to survive the shooting.
Although Murray had been winning junior championships we had not been able to see them on television. The first real in-depth view of him came at the early Wimbledon stages in 2002 when he played, I think, a five-setter against David Nalbandian, eventually losing that third-round tie.
He had fought for hours to stay in the match, and eventually was badly affected by cramp. Although he lost, it sent a message to us all that this young lad from Dunblane was going to fight very hard to get to the top. Luckily, I recorded that match on my video machine, and watched it again recently.
After that it was a lot of hard work for him rising up through the rankings, with, of course, the Wimbledon and US wins; The Olympic medals, Davis Cup success and all the lesser wins along the way. Plus, of course, becoming Number One in the world.
There were wonderful days also here in Dunblane; his homecoming after his win in the US, when the streets were absolutely packed solid with cheering supporters. And then of course the wedding at Dunblane Cathedral, when once again the world came to town in our midst.
Then there is the Golden Postbox. It has been there since the 2012 Olympic win, and on virtually any day you wish to go there you will find visitors with cameras and phones having their photos taken alongside it. The number of tourists, and consequent passing trade, which he has brought to Dunblane is immense, and shows no signs of stopping.
READ MORE: Andy Murray is challenging 'macho man' cliché even as he retires
He may not always have endeared himself to the media. When asked which football team he would be supporting at the 2006 World Cup, which Scotland was not represented at, his response was that it would be “Anyone but England”.
It was certainly not appreciated by the English media, although much of Scotland was firmly on his side! His dry sense of humour may not always be widely realised.
Sir Andy, you have given us a huge amount to be proud of over these 15 or so years, and have been one of the most successful and decent Scotsmen of our age; all the health and happiness it is possible to have, we wish you, Kim and the family, and we eagerly await seeing whatever path your career takes in the future.
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