Andy Murray became, for many, the greatest British tennis player to ever live, having carved out an illustrious career.
Fred Perry and Virginia Wade are strong alternative candidates for that title, but Murray‘s career, with all things considered, stands out as the best.
In perhaps the most competitive era of all time, the Scot claimed three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and world number one status during his playing days.
He had to battle past at least one of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, or Rafael Nadal en route to most of his titles, with the ‘big three’ all in their primes.
Nowadays, Murray is regarded as a legend in Great Britain, but that was certainly not always the case.
When Andy Murray felt ‘more accepted in his home country
At the end of 2012, Murray conducted an interview where he discussed how the season had changed his public image across the country.
That year, Murray suffered a near miss at Wimbledon, losing in the final to Federer, but went on to win gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, before claiming his first major title at the US Open.
Would you consider Andy Murray a top 10 player of all time?
As per the Mirror, Murray said: “After this summer, I think, purely from a personal standpoint, I’ve just found it much easier to go out and about, just kind of walk around.
“I’ve felt more confident, maybe, as a person, like to just go and walk with my head up, and just walk down the street.
“Whereas before I was always sort of head down, I never wanted anyone to say anything to me, or whatever.
“Now I feel a bit more confident. I know if someone has something to say, then it is like ‘hey, well done, good job, or whatever.’
“That’s definitely changed a bit since the Olympics, especially. The atmosphere at the Olympics final was unbelievable, and to have that much support behind you was great.
“After that match, I just felt much more comfortable, a bit more accepted. I just feel a bit better about myself now.
“I also felt like having lost in a lot of finals or in a lot of tough matches that I probably was letting whoever it was down.
“I know I’d been reminded every day for the last five years, six years, how long it was since someone here had won a grand slam, and I knew about that, so there was a part of me that probably felt a little bit of responsibility.
“So it’s nice, finally, not to have to worry about that stuff any more. I can just play and see what else I can achieve.”
Andy Murray’s 2012 season statistics
Murray finished his 2012 season with a record of 56 wins to 16 losses and picked up three tour-level titles.
He reached two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and also advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open.
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Outside of his big triumphs in London and New York, Murray also won the Brisbane International at the start of the season.
The British star raked in a total of $5,100,273 in prize money and ended the year ranked third in the world, behind only Djokovic and Federer.
Murray followed his 2012 campaign with another incredible season in 2013, in which he secured a maiden Wimbledon title.
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