Tennis superstar Andy Murray has popped the question to long-time girlfriend Kim Sears. The 27-year-old's representative tonight confirmed the pair had become engaged after nine years together.
Sears, 26, is a regular presence at Murray's matches and is the daughter of former Lawn Tennis Association head of women's tennis Nigel Sears.
Tennis star Andy Murray with his girlfriend of nine years, Kim Sears who he has got engaged to, his representative said.
She was once described by future mother-in-law Judy Murray as ''the best thing to happen to Andy''.
Mrs Murray has kept mum so far - but she cheekily re-tweeted this message from her "patron penguin" at St Andrews Aquarium in Fife: "There was me thinking if it all fell through with @MontyThePenguin then the was still @andy_murray to waddle down the aisle with me...."
The news ends years of speculation over the couple's future. In January this year Murray sent a tongue-in-cheek message to a fan: "we are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day".
His girlfriend reportedly read him the riot act, prompting the tennis champ to nip the rumours in the bud with a follow-up tweet: "3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill rafael Nadal.."
When Murray swept to Wimbledon victory last year, bookmaker William Hill offered odds of 8-11 for the sportsman to be engaged to Ms Sears before the start of 2014's tournament.
The Scottish sportsman has missed that deadline, but the Mirror reports he made up for it with an expensive diamond ring for his fiancee. A source is said to have told the newspaper: "Andy spent ages thinking about the ring, he chose the design himself and picked it up last week. He then proposed on Wednesday.
"Kim said 'yes' immediately. They are completely besotted with each other and have been there for each other through thick and thin."