Murray Makes Tennis History, Becomes World Number One

Andy Murray has marked another chapter in his extraordinary career by reaching the top of tennis’ world rankings for the first time.

Daily Mail Sports reports that the 29-year-old needed to make the final of the Paribas Masters in Paris to overtake Novak Djokovic as the world’s best, but his semi-final opponent Milos Raonic withdrew with injury before the match, giving Murray a walkover to the final and the world number one position.

It comes at the end of another year of triumph for the Scot, who won his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles in 2016.

Murray can celebrate his new ranking in style on Sunday with victory over US player John Isner in what will be his 12th final of arguably the greatest year of his career.

The ranking changes are made official on Monday and will make Murray the first British singles player to hold the top spot since the ATP tour points system was introduced in 1973.

His brother Jamie reached the number one ranking in men’s doubles tennis earlier this year.

Mother Judy Murray tweeted a picture of herself and Andy chatting on a tennis court when he was a teenager and wrote “You’ve come a long way baby” along with a number one and a love heart emoji.

Thousands of others added their congratulations to Murray on social media.

Wimbledon tweeted: “11.5 years as a professional, 798 matches, 42 career titles, 1 sporting pinnacle reached, @andy_murray is the new world No.1!”

ATP president Chris Kermode said: “Andy has shown incredible dedication, determination and hard work in his bid to get to No 1.

“It’s difficult to think of a player more deserving of this accolade – what is more, in one of the toughest eras in the history of our sport.

“He has had a phenomenal season and fully deserves this latest recognition, which confirms his status as the best player in the world.”

A landmark 12 months for Murray

November 2015: Helps Great Britain win the Davis Cup team event for the first time
December 2015: Voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second time
February 2016: Welcomes first child as wife Kim gives birth to daughter Sophia
June 2016: Becomes Wimbledon champion for the second time
August 2016: Defends Olympic singles title in Rio
November 2016: Replaces Novak Djokovic as world number one.