British number one Andy Murray has rounded off a tough year in joyous fashion by getting engaged to long-term girlfriend Kim Sears.
The pair met at the US Open in 2005, when he was given a wildcard in the tournament as an up-and-coming 18-year-old.
Sears, 26, is a regular presence at Murray’s matches and is the daughter of former Lawn Tennis Association head of women’s tennis Nigel Sears.
She was once described by future mother-in-law Judy Murray as “the best thing to happen to Andy”.
Mrs Murray has kept mum so far – but she cheekily re-tweeted this message from her “patron penguin” at St Andrews Aquarium in Fife.
In January this year Murray sent a tongue-in-cheek message to a fan: “We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day”.
His girlfriend reportedly read him the riot act, prompting the tennis champ to nip the rumours in the bud with a follow-up tweet.
It’s been a busy old day for Murray, whose relationship with two of his long-time coaches clearly wasn’t as solid as the one he has with Sears.
He announced he had split from Dani Vallverdu and fitness trainer Jez Green earlier in the day.
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