Andy Murray has been outed as a knighthood boaster by golfing buddy Kevin Pietersen. The three-time Grand Slam champion was named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2016, following his second Wimbledon win and second Olympic gold.
He didn’t actually receive the honour – awarded for service to tennis and charity – until May 2019. After his tennis retirement, Murray now spends much of his spare time on the golf course and is a handy player. One of his golfing friends is England cricket legend Pietersen, who was recently joined by Murray on his The Switch YouTube show. At the start of the episode, Pietersen asked whether he should call him Andy or Sir. Murray joked: “For this, Andy’s fine. When we’re on the golf course, it’s Sir.”
Pietersen asked if he was “into that honours thing or not too fussed about it” and added: “I’m just an MBE, it’s [Sir] not on my golf app. I’m just a normal guy, I’m under the radar. You’re obviously not because you like to tell everybody you’re on the Honours’ List. Do you like the Honours’ List?”
A smiling Murray replied: “It wasn’t like a goal of mine when I was playing but it’s nice recognition of your achievements in your chosen field, I guess.”
Upon receiving his knighthood from the then Prince of Wales, Murray admitted he was “very proud” and said: “It’s a nice day to spend with my family – my wife and parents are here.”
He said he would have liked to have brought his children to the ceremony, but felt Sophia Olivia and Edie, who were three and 18 months at the time, were too young. He added: “I’ll show them the medal when I get home.”
Speaking on court following victory in an hour and 26 minutes, Draper said of Murray: “I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen!
“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations. When I was younger, I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him.
“As I came on to the tour, we spent some time together and I think we have a great relationship off the court but also what he brings to me in terms of the tennis as well.”