Former British number one Tim Henman has described Andy Murray as an "unbelievable role model" following his victory at the ATP World Tour Finals this evening.
Murray brought a perfect end to the finest season of his career by beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the O2 Arena, wrapping up the year-end world number one ranking in the process.
The Scot had battled through the longest three-set match of his career in the semi-finals just yesterday but still managed to outplay Djokovic, and Henman urged the Lawn Tennis Association to make the most of Murray's success.
"It's imperative of the LTA and the game of tennis in this country that they capitalise on it. They have an unbelievable role model. It's been such a journey. He's overcome so many hurdles but this has to inspire the next generation to play the game and produce better players going forward," he told BBC Sport.
"It defies logic, it really does. Every time there's a challenge put in front of this man, he finds a way to get over it. Djokovic is one of the best players to play this game, is in good form... At the end of such long week, a long year, Murray has found a way to get over the line. All credit to him.
"When you reflect on this week, how much time he's been on the court and how much he's battled, the previous six months and the whole year, it's just amazing to find that one last push against one of the greatest players of all time and find a way to not only win this tournament but to finish the year as world number one. It is an incredible achievement.
"When you look at this generation and you bring (Roger) Federer and (Rafael) Nadal into the conversation, they're unbelievable ambassadors for our sport, they have huge respect for each other and, let's face it, Djokovic has won 12 grand slams, he's won the year-ending Tour Finals five occasions but this is Andy Murray's moment, and he thoroughly deserved it."
Murray, who has also won his second Wimbledon crown and successfully defended his Olympic gold medal in 2016, ends the year on a 24-match winning streak.
Barney Corkhill
