Tuesday September 18, 2012

Success is stuff of nightmares for Andy

DUNBLANE (Scotland): Andy Murray, the first British man to win a Grand Slam title in 76 years, received a rapturous welcome in his Scottish home town on Sunday, but admitted that his golden summer was giving him nightmares.

Murray said he was “overwhelmed” to see some 15,000 people turn out to greet him in Dunblane following his Olympic and US Open triumphs.

The 25-year-old became the first British man in 76 years to win a Grand Slam singles title when he beat Novak Djokovic to be crowned US Open champion in New York.

Victory saw Murray match the feat of British tennis great Fred Perry back in 1936 and completed a memorable year for the Scot following his Olympic Games final win over Roger Federer – a repeat of the Wimbledon final which the Swiss star won.

Andy Murray showing his medals to children as he meets fans in the centre of Dunblane, Scotland on Sunday, following his victory in the US Open tennis tournament and gold medal feat in the London Olympic Games. - AFP

“I dreamt three days after Wimbledon that I had won Wimbledon and I woke up and was absolutely gutted that I hadn’t,” said Murray.

“The other day I woke up after sleeping on the sofa and I was questioning whether it (the US Open win) actually happened. It was when I woke up and realised I had actually won the US Open that it all started to sink in.”

On his return to Dunblane, Murray, who also won Olympic mixed doubles silver with Laura Robson, added: “It’s overwhelming and I’ve never had anything like that before.

“I think it (the US Open win) will sink in over the next couple of days. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since the match with all the stuff the day after and travelling back, then all the stuff today with so many people.

“It’s been a bit overwhelming and I think it will take a few days.”

Murray’s walkabout in Dunblane went an hour over schedule after he opted against travelling on the bus with his family and friends and instead spent time signing autographs and meeting his fans.

Murray’s mother Judy, who travelled on the bus decorated by children from Dunblane Primary school, told Sky Sports News: “I’m absolutely amazed. I thought it was going to be mobbed but I didn’t realise it was going to be as mobbed as this. It’s wonderful for Andy to come back and share the success of the summer with people of the town.

“Coming back to your roots and the town you grew up, he always gets such amazing support whenever he plays but particularly when he’s in a final. It’s amazing.” — AFP

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