They're Actually Building Andy Murray a Statue at Wimbledon (And It's About Time)

By Lewis Barnett 24 June, 2025 6 mins read 107 Views

Honestly? I got goosebumps when I heard this news.

Wimbledon just announced they're commissioning a statue of Sir Andy Murray – and here's the kicker – it'll be unveiled in 2027 for the tournament's 150th anniversary. The All England Club has never done this before for anyone except Fred Perry, which makes this whole thing feel pretty monumental. Murray's 38 now, officially retired from the sport that made him a household name, and apparently still making history even when he's not swinging a racket.

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77 Years of Waiting... Then This Guy Shows Up

Let me paint you a picture of just how big Murray's 2013 victory was. Britain hadn't seen a homegrown male champion since 1936. That's 77 years of disappointment, near-misses, and "maybe next year" conversations at pub tables across the country.

Then Murray walks onto Centre Court and absolutely destroys Novak Djokovic in that final. I still remember watching it – the entire country basically held its breath for three hours. Three years later, he did it again, this time taking down Canada's Milos Raonic in straight sets. Poor Raonic never knew what hit him.

Debbie Jevans Spills the Details

The current Wimbledon chair, Debbie Jevans, dropped this bombshell on the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast (hosted by former Sky Sports presenter Georgie Ainslie, in case you're wondering). She said they're working closely with Murray and his team on the project, which honestly makes sense – you don't want to surprise someone with their own statue.

"The ambition is that we would unveil that on the 150th anniversary of our first Championships, which was 1877, so would be in 2027," Jevans explained. "He's rightly got to be very involved in that and him and his team will be."

Smart move. Nobody wants to end up looking weird in bronze for eternity.

Fred Perry: The Only Other Guy in This Club

Here's some context that'll blow your mind – Fred Perry is literally the only other player with a statue at Wimbledon. The Stockport-born legend won three singles titles before World War II, then died in 1995 at age 85. His statue sits outside the Debenture Holders' Entrance, about ¾ life-size.

There are also five busts of British women champions (Kitty Godfree, Dorothy Round, Angela Mortimer, Ann Jones, and Virginia Wade), but full statues? That's Perry and soon-to-be Murray. Exclusive company.

That Hip Surgery Changed Everything

Murray's journey to retirement wasn't exactly smooth. The guy had career-saving hip surgery in January 2019 – and I mean career-saving literally. Without it, he might've been done years earlier. But he fought back, kept playing, and finally called it quits last summer after losing in the doubles at the Paris Olympics.

His final Wimbledon appearance was actually in 2024, playing doubles with his brother Jamie. They lost in the first round, but honestly, that wasn't the point. The real moment came when Sue Barker interviewed him on court afterward, with tears flowing and former rivals coming out to pay respects.

Jevans remembers it perfectly: "We had a great celebration for Andy when he played his last match, which was on Centre Court. All the old players came and they greeted him and Sue Barker interviewed him."

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Look, statues are permanent. They're not going anywhere. When Wimbledon decides to immortalize you in bronze or stone, they're basically saying your impact transcends your playing career.

Murray didn't just win two Wimbledon titles – he ended nearly eight decades of British disappointment at their most prestigious tournament. He gave an entire generation of tennis fans something they'd never experienced before: a homegrown champion on the grass courts of SW19.

"You always wanted and you always hoped for a British winner. Of course, you do. We are all patriotic," Jevans admitted. "When he won it was so special. So special for him, so special for us, as a club."

The timing feels perfect too – 2027 marks 150 years of Wimbledon Championships, and Murray's statue will be part of that celebration. Not bad for a kid from Dunblane who just wanted to hit tennis balls really, really well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the effects of playing surfaces on tennis?

The style and speed of tennis matches can be affected significantly by different playing surfaces. Grass court games are usually faster, favoring players who have an attacking style and big servers. Clay courts are slower and have a higher bounce. This is good for baseline players and those with topspin and endurance. Hard courts are a good choice for players with a wide range of skills, as they provide a level playing field. These variations in surfaces necessitate different strategic approaches and can heavily influence match outcomes.

What is the history of tennis?

The origins of tennis can be traced back to the 12th century France. In monastery courtyards, monks would use their hands in a sport called jeu de pâume to hit the ball. With time, rackets came into play, and tennis evolved. The game was popularized by the European nobility in the 16th century. Tennis has evolved over time, from its origins to the introduction of the lawn tennis game in the late 19th century.

What are some of the most important components to tennis etiquette.

Tennis etiquette is an integral part of the game, reflecting both sportsmanship and respect. The players are expected to be honest in their decisions, refrain from distractions when serving, stay silent during rallies and give a warm handshake after the match. Audiences are also expected to follow this etiquette and remain silent during matches, while applauding the good shots of both competitors. These unwritten rules help maintain the integrity of tennis as well as its gentlemanly tradition.

What is the uniqueness of tennis' scoring system?

Tennis has a unique scoring system that contributes to its character. Matches are divided into sets and games, with players needing to win six games by a margin of two to claim a set. The scoring within games proceeds from love (zero) to fifteen, thirty, and forty, before winning the game. If the players are tied at forty, they have to win by two points. This system brings a sense of excitement and tension to the game, often resulting in dramatic shifts in momentum.

Who is credited with standardizing the modern game of tennis?

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield has been credited for standardizing tennis. In 1873 he invented a game he called "Sphairistike", which was played in an hourglass-shaped court. Wingfield’s version of the sport included a simplified system for scoring and similar equipment to that which is used today. This version of the game laid the foundations for modern lawn tennis rules. By 1877 the first Wimbledon Championships was held, cementing its rules and structure.

Statistics

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is often credited with pioneering the rules of modern tennis in 1873, and his version of the game was patented under the name "Sphairistikè."
Professional tennis players can serve the ball at speeds exceeding 150 mph, with the fastest serve recorded at 163.7 mph by Australian player Sam Groth in 2012.
The global tennis equipment market reached an estimated value of over 1 billion dollars, reflecting the sport's widespread popularity.
Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.
Graphite became a popular material for tennis racquets in the 1980s, with over 90% of professional players now using graphite or graphite composite racquets.

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How To

How to understand and keep score in tennis

Learning to keep score in tennis is essential. The standard game is scored by love (0), 15, 30, and 40. For a game to be won, it must have four points with a minimum of two games in front. Six wins are a set. Typically, a lead of two games is required to win. A tiebreak is used in the case of a 6-6 draw. Matches consist of best-of-3-sets or best-5-sets. This will allow you to accurately track match progress.

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