Dunblane residents send best wishes to famous son Andy Murray

Residents of Dunblane have hailed the tennis career of the town's most famous son, and wished him a bright future when he lays down his racket.

The Scottish town near Stirling where Sir Andy Murray grew up has become synonymous with the tennis star.

A golden post box stands in the High Street in recognition of his Olympic win in 2012, and the court at the local sports club is rarely without young Wimbledon hopefuls hitting some balls, inspired by the 2013 champion.

Local resident Bill Drummond, 71, said of Sir Andy’s decision to retire this year: "I think it’s the right thing to do - he’s a young man, he’s got the rest of his life ahead of him.

"If he doesn’t take care, it will affect him. I just wish him well. He’s done so well to get to where he has. It’s good to think of the good he’s done, and the future he’s got ahead of him.

"He can look back on his past feeling he’s achieved so much, and got so much to look forward to."

He added: "He’s been great for Dunblane. Dunblane was remembered for all the wrong reasons - we used to go on holiday and we’d try and avoid saying where we were from.

"But latterly it was hailed as Andy Murray territory, so it’s been amazing for the town.

"He’s done great for Dunblane, for Scotland and tennis. We’ve always watched tennis, but for him to be part of it, it meant so much more.

"Good luck to him. It’s sad news but he needs to do it. I’m actually kind of relieved to be honest, because you could see he was not quite right," the 71-year-old resident said.

Fellow resident George Majury said: "He’ll end up losing to players that are so far below him in the rankings, and maybe detract from what he’s achieved."

Asked what Sir Andy has done for Dunblane, the 71-year-old added: "He has put us in the world news for all the right reasons."