Channel Seven will ask its commentators to refer to newly knighted world No.1 as Sir Andy Murray when he takes the court for next week's Australian Open.
Fairfax Media has been told Channel Seven plans to reference the three-time grand slam champion by his new official title when he plays his first match on Australian soil since he received his knighthood in the new year's honours list.
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"Andy's the No.1 player in the world with three grand slam titles and two Wimbledon championships," Channel Seven head of sport Saul Shtein said.
"Not only is he tennis royalty, he's now a Knight Bachelor, so yes of course we will be showing him the respect he deserves and refer to him as Sir Andy Murray."
![Arise, Sir Andy: Andy Murray says his knighthood won't change him.](/web/20170112081526im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/s/x/s/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtpll5.png/1484126017029.jpg)
It is understood Tennis Australia is also planning to pay tribute to Murray when he walks out on to Rod Laver Arena, but details about what they have planned remain a secret.
Channel Seven's Jim Courier is expected to ask Murray how he prefers to be referred to in his first post-match interview at the tournament he has reached the final of without success on five occasions (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016).
Murray's brother, Jamie, who is playing doubles at the Sydney International, made light of the situation when informed of Channel Seven's and the Australian Open's plans for his brother.
Jamie admitted it would be "weird" to hear broadcasters and announcers in Melbourne reference his brother as "Sir Andy Murray", laughing at the likelihood of him adopting the reference.
"If he is walking out on to court and the announcer is calling him as Sir Andy Murray, that would be a bit weird, yeah," Jamie joked. "That's all I've been hearing for the last 12 days, Sir Andy. Are you going to call him Sir Andy? I'm not going to call him Sir Andy."
The attention Murray has received since receiving his knighthood to start 2017 was a major reason why the Scot was reluctant to accept the honour when he was informed about it.
Murray was concerned it would become a distraction in his quest to hold on to the world No.1 ranking he took from Novak Djokovic, who started the year with a victory over Murray in the final in Doha.
"I spoke to a few of the people closest to me," Murray told The Times. "I didn't have too long but, obviously, you think about something like that because I do feel like it's obviously a big honour but, with that, comes maybe a little bit more responsibility.
"I'm still very young, I'm still competing and obviously don't want anything to distract me or affect my performance on the court."
Britain's No.2 men's player, Kyle Edmund, said he also wouldn't be referring to his Davis Cup teammate as Sir Andy.
Edmund said it wasn't something Murray would want.
"I won't be referring to him as Sir," Edmund said.
"To be honest, I don't think he wants people to. He's not that type of guy. He definitely deserves it, that's for sure. He's probably Britain's best sportsman in terms of achievements.
"He's world No.1 now. He definitely deserves it. To get it at the age he is as well – to get a knighthood at 29 is pretty incredible. Everything he gets he deserves because he puts the hard work in."
The polarising 29-year-old was recognised for an incredible 2016, which included a Wimbledon title, an Olympic gold medal and finals appearances at the Australian and French opens.
But he admits he was uncertain about accepting the offer he received via email while in Miami during off-season training last month, confiding in wife Kim and mother Judy.
"I kept it fairly quiet and just spoke to the people that I was closest with and explained what the situation was," Murray said. "I just tried to get the best advice possible.
"A few of the players have been chatting to me about it and asking how it works, what does it mean and what do we call you. 'Andy is fine'."
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