Flying Scotsman

BRITAIN'S 75-year wait for a male grand slam tennis champion could finally end this weekend as Andy Murray steps on to court for the Australian Open final.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Jan 2011, 19:28 BST

Updated 28th Jan 2011, 19:28 BST

The 23-year-old Scot is already established as the most talented British man to play the game since the era of Fred Perry and Bunny Austin and he has long been regarded as a potential winner of one of the sport's biggest prizes.

However, tomorrow represents his best chance yet.

There are two big reasons why Murray has yet to win a grand slam tournament: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The two men, who between them have won 22 out of the last 25 grand slam tournaments, are among the greatest players of all time. Murray's last two grand slam finals have ended in defeat to Federer while Nadal has twice ended Britain's dream of seeing Murray in a Wimbledon final. Tomorrow, neither man stands in Murray's way as he comes up against Novak Djokovic.

Murray has struggled to win over the public south of the border during his career so far but if he triumphs tomorrow he will earn his place as one of the nation's sporting greats.