THE first British Wimbledon men’s doubles Champion for 76 years thanked everyone who had helped him with his decade-long “slog” to the title as he was given a civic reception in his home city.
Liverpool-born Jonny Marray, whose family moved to Yorkshire from Merseyside when he was a youngster, was welcomed to Sheffield Town Hall with his family, friends and supporters by the city’s Lord Mayor, John Campbell, and other dignitaries.
Marray, 31, was cheered as he thanked everyone who gathered in the Victorian building for their help over the years.
In a brief speech he told them: “It’s been quite a long slog over the last 10 or 12 years so it’s nice to have everyone who’s helped me along the way in this room tonight. Thanks for everything.”
Wimbledon wildcard Marray was honoured after he and his Danish partner and fellow Liverpool FC fan, Freddie Niel-sen, took the title, beating Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau in the final.
Marray said his achievement has just about started to sink in now and he was having to get used to being recognised in the street.
He said he remembers the game clearly.
“I was obviously quite nervous before I went on but when I went out there and played for the first time on Centre Court I was loving every minute of it,” he said.
