Andy Murray reportedly nominated for knighthood
2016 will always remain etched in Andy Murray’s memory. A year in which he became a father for the first time turned out to be his most successful season on the professional front that helped to create new British history. That has led to him getting reportedly nominated for knighthood as well.
A Wimbledon title, an Olympic gold medal, the year-ending World Tour Finals crown accompanied by six more titles culminated in him usurping the 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic from the top spot in the ATP World Rankings in the just-concluded season.
After such a dazzling show throughout the year, quite unsurprisingly, clamours were getting louder by the day for him to get knighted, something that he richly deserves. Now it seems that might be a reality soon as, according to The Sunday Times, the three-time Major winner has found himself a place in the nominations for a knighthood in the New Year Honour’s List.
Also read: Journeyman, Choker, Best in the World: The Saga of Andy Murray
The said list is populated with Olympic gold medallists who are expected to be showered with honours after a record 67 medal-haul by Team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Most, if not all, gold medallists were put in for something,” a source revealed to the British publication.
If the nominations are approved by the selection committee they are then handed over to the Prime Minister who passes them over to the Queen and their consent is necessary as well.
Murray had argued against getting a knighthood
However, there is no guarantee as to whether Murray will end up in the final list. Recently, the 29-year-old himself had argued against getting a knighthood as he considered himself ‘too young’ for such a huge distinction.
“Obviously it is the highest honour you can get in this country. I don’t know, I feel too young for something like that,” Murray had said after his maiden triumph at the ATP World Tour Finals last month.
“I am still young and there are still a lot of things that can go wrong, I could still mess up and make mistakes,” the Scot had added.
His argument might tilt the balance against him and there is a big chance of him eventually getting ruled out because of that. The Sunday Times’ source has pointed out, “They might take the view that he is too young. There is a decent argument for that, to be honest, which he made himself.”
Murray was bestowed with the OBE(Order of the British Empire) in 2013 after ending Great Britain’s 77-year drought for the men’s singles title at the Wimbledon Championships.