As he accepted his award, Murray told the audience at Belfast’s SSE Arena: “Murray said: “Thank you very much, I genuinely didn’t prepare anything, I didn’t expect this”.
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The 28-year-old Scot was the team’s talisman, winning all 11 of his cup matches and all three rubbers in the final against Belgium.
A two-time major victor in his career, this year he reached the final of the Australian Open and the semi-finals of both Wimbledon and the French Open.
“He clearly looks after himself and to have played 18 years you have to be dedicated to your sport and he has definitely been that”, he said.
Former Leeds Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield is firmly in the running to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award tomorrow night having become the first rugby league player even to be shortlisted for the prestigious prize.
On Sinfield’s SPOTY nomination, he said: “It’s huge and so big for the game”.
Votes can be cast by phone, using the numbers announced in the broadcast, or for free online.
And the British Davis Cup team were rewarded for their historic triumph in Belgium by winning the Team of the Year trophy.
The highest points scorer in test rugby, Carter’s latest accolade will sit proudly with his World Rugby Player of the Year award – won for a third time this year.
Gary Lineker cut his hand open on live TV while hosting the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year tonight (December 20). If I’ve said anything in the past that has hurt anybody, I apologise to anybody who has been hurt. “I dedicate my life to this sport”.
But he faces tough competition from Jessica Ennis-Hill following her triumphant return to athletics at the World Championships, while Tyson Fury could create another upset after beating Wladimir Klitschko to claim the world heavyweight title.
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The award was won past year by Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
