Andy Murray is among tennis champions made honorary freeman of the London Borough of Merton following his historic win at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Merton Council also agreed to recognise tennis stars Virginia Wade, Ann Haydon-Jones and Angela Mortimer with the council's highest honour.

The first male British player to have won the singles championship in 77 years, Murray's win seems to have prompted the council to honour the championships' previous female British winners.

Wade took home the trophy in 1977, Haydon-Jones in 1969 and Mortimer in 1961, but all have gone unrecognised by Merton Council until last week.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of Merton Council, said: "We are delighted to be able to recognise Andy Murray's great achievements and win at the All England Club as well as in the Olympics.

"All feats took place in Merton as did Virginia Wade's, Ann Haydon-Jones' and Angela Mortimer's.

"It was a unanimous decision. Everyone was very very complimentary of these four champions and it's humbling to be in a position to grant them freedom of the borough."

Council voted to induct the players into Merton's history books at a meeting on Wednesday, April 2.

The title of honorary freedom of the borough is awarded to "persons of distinction" who have "rendered eminent services" to the borough.


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