Former world No. 1 Andy Murray expressed optimism regarding his upcoming statue at Wimbledon, which is scheduled to be unveiled during the 150th edition of the championships in 2027. He believes this new tribute will surpass the notorious terracotta warrior created for him at the 2011 Shanghai Masters.
“I believed I was more attractive than that,” Murray joked while revealing the statue, created to commemorate his triumph at the 2010 tournament.
Among the various statues unveiled to honor athletes, one stands out for its lack of favorable reception. Dwyane Wade’s bronze sculpture, revealed outside the Miami Heat’s arena last year, has recently gained attention for all the wrong reasons.
Among the notable examples are the controversial bust of Cristiano Ronaldo at Madeira Airport and the distinctive statue of Walter Johnson situated outside Nationals Park.
In a recent interview with the Guardian, Murray reflected on his experience in Shanghai, noting, “When we played there, they did these terracotta, warrior-type things, and they weren’t great.”
“Considering Wimbledon’s meticulous approach and commitment to excellence, I anticipate that the outcome will be quite impressive.” There is a strong belief that they will perform effectively.
Andy Murray secured two Wimbledon titles, with his inaugural victory occurring in 2013 against Novak Djokovic. This triumph followed a defeat to Roger Federer the previous year and marked the end of a 77-year drought for British men’s singles champions at the prestigious tournament in SW19.
A Scottish athlete secured a gold medal on Centre Court for Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics.
In 1984, a bronze statue commemorating Fred Perry, the last British man to secure a Wimbledon victory prior to Andy Murray, was unveiled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his inaugural title at the All England Club.
“I’m very proud,” Murray stated in an interview with the BBC. The grounds are not particularly adorned with statues, but the Fred Perry statue has consistently stood out in my memory during my walks and practice sessions there throughout the years.’
“This occasion is set to be particularly significant.”
