Oxfordshire man ‘standing in’ for Andy Murray’s Wimbledon statue

The tennis legend has played a “big part” in the creation amid “concerns” that it could end up like sporting sculpture failures seen around the world, the artist behind it suggested.

David Williams-Ellis said there are a lot of “risks” that come with taking on a sculpting project, adding that there are some statues that have “not been a success”.

The life-size statue of Sir Andy will be unveiled next year as part of Wimbledon’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

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Sculptor David Williams-Ellis. (Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth / PA)

Speaking to reporters, Mr Williams-Ellis said that he has had several meetings with the former world number one and his wife Kim Sears since he was commissioned to create the statue.

The artist said the pair have helped select the pose, adding: “They seem to like what I’ve done and seem to be enthused by it, and I hope they’re going to spend a bit more time in my studio and coming to see what’s happening.”

Sir Andy, the Wimbledon men’s singles champion in 2013 and 2016, has stood for Mr Williams-Ellis for around 90 minutes.

During this session, he had to repeat the statue’s pose around 50 to 60 times, the sculptor said.

While Mr Williams-Ellis has not yet revealed what pose Sir Andy will be doing in the statue, he confirmed the sportsman will be holding a tennis racket and moving.

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Andy Murray. (Image: Steven Paston / PA)

Asked if Sir Andy had offered him any pointers throughout the process, Mr Williams-Ellis said: “I think he was just concerned that it doesn’t end up like some of the sporting sculptures that are prevalent around stadiums and around the world.”

He said getting the tennis player’s likeness in his appearance, movement and character is “essential”.

“There are lots of risks, and we’ve all seen – I won’t mention any names – about other sculptures that have been in Britain that have not been a success, and I don’t want to be one of those,” he added.

Mr Williams-Ellis said he had found a sportsman in Oxfordshire to pose as a stand-in for Sir Andy.

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Sculptor David Williams-Ellis. (Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth / PA)

The statue will show the two-time Wimbledon champion in his early to mid-20s, with Mr Williams-Ellis saying: “I can’t use him as today because he’s gnarly.”

In 2017, a statue of Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira Airport gained worldwide attention after critics claimed it did not resemble the Portuguese footballer.

Tennis greats John McEnroe and Billie Jean King are among those who have previously called for Sir Andy to be honoured with a statue at Wimbledon.

A statue of Fred Perry stands outside the Debenture Holders’ Entrance of Centre Court at Wimbledon.