Andy Murray Cries As He Is Granted Freedom Of Stirling (VIDEO) | HuffPost

WATCH: Murray Cries As He Is Granted Freedom Of Stirling (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post UK/PA

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Andy Murray struggled to hold back tears as he was granted the freedom of Stirling on an emotional return to his home town.

The Wimbledon champion was overcome with emotion as he thanked local officials for the honour during a ceremony held in his former school, Dunblane High.

Murray, 26, had to pause and wipe his eyes several times during his speech when he told those gathered in Murray Hall - including girlfriend Kim Sears - "It feels good to be home".

Murray was overcome with emotion to receive the freedom of Stirling

Mother Judy, father William and both sets of his grandparents watched as Stirling Provost Mike Robbins handed the star a framed scroll with his full title, Andy Barron Murray OBE.

Murray, his voice cracking at times, told the audience: "I'm going to keep this very short because there's a good chance I'll get emotional.

"I'd like to thank the council for voting me in - I was expecting a few nos. I was thinking, 'there's got to be one of you who doesn't like me'.

Murray receives Freedom of Stirling

Andy Murray honoured(01 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray signs autographs after he was presented with the Freedom of Stirling, at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(02 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray becomes emotional during a speech after the presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, presented to him at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(03 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray signs autographs after he was presented with the Freedom of Stirling, at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(04 of20)

Kim Sears and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, after the presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, presented to Murray at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(05 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray becomes emotional during a speech after the presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, presented to him at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(06 of20)

Kim Sears (centre), the partner of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, arrives to watch as he is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(07 of20)

Dunblane High School pupils wait for the arrival of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, for his presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(08 of20)

Willie Murray, the father of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, arrives to watch as his son is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(09 of20)

Willie Murray (left), the father of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, arrives to watch as his son is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(10 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray signs autographs after he was presented with the Freedom of Stirling, at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(11 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray (right) accepts the Freedom of Stirling from Stirling Council Provost Mike Robbins at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(12 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray becomes emotional during a speech after the presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, presented to him at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(13 of20)

Kim Sears and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, after the presentation of the Freedom of Stirling, presented to Murray at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(14 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray speaks after accepting the Freedom of Stirling at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(15 of20)

Judy Murray, the mother of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, arrives to watch as her son is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(16 of20)

Kim Sears, the partner of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, reacts as he is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(17 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray speaks after accepting the Freedom of Stirling at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(18 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray family including girlfriend Kim Sears, mum Judy Murray and grandfather Roy Erskine, react as he is presented with the Freedom of Stirling, during a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(19 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray speaks after accepting the Freedom of Stirling at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

Andy Murray honoured(20 of20)

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray poses for a selfie with a pupil after accepting the Freedom of Stirling at a special council meeting at his old school, Dunblane High, in his home town this morning. (credit:PA)

"I'd like to thank all my family and friends and girlfriend for coming to support me."

He apologised as he took another break to calm his emotions, and was given a standing ovation as he said: "I think everyone knows I'm extremely proud of where I come from.

"To get this honour means a lot to me so thanks to everyone for coming along, and I apologise for this behaviour."

Murray later explained why he had become so emotional.

He said: "I don't get the chance to come back that often and I don't get the chance to see my family as much as I would like, and I'm very proud of where I come from. So to get this honour from my local council means a lot.

"I don't think anyone would have really expected it - tennis players don't really come from Scotland, so it's a strange story, but shows that anything can happen if you believe and you dream and work hard, then you can achieve whatever you want to.

"It was a difficult decision to move away but one that I had to make and I'm lucky that my family supported me in that decision because it was hard for them too. You spend a lot of time on the road - tennis can be quite lonely sometimes - but it was a decision that had to be made if I wanted to achieve my goal."

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