The All England Club has confirmed that sculptor David Williams-Ellis is the artist commissioned to create the bronze statue of Sir Andy Murray, a centerpiece for the upcoming Wimbledon 150th anniversary celebrations. The project, which has been under strict wraps since its initial announcement last year, marks a significant tribute to the former champion.
Reporting by The Telegraph confirmed the selection of Williams-Ellis, who is well-known for his high-profile public commissions, including the British Normandy Memorial and tributes to Manchester City football legends. In an interview, Williams-Ellis praised Murray’s cooperation during the creative process, noting that the tennis star was “charming” and “put his heart into it” while posing for the sculpture in a confined space.
“He wasn’t just standing there, frozen in time. He was actually playing a shot,” the sculptor remarked. Williams-Ellis noted that he was chosen from a shortlist of three artists to bring the tribute to life.
The sculptor is also known for his familial connections to the British royal circle; he is the stepfather of Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the husband of Princess Beatrice. Williams-Ellis previously gained recognition for creating a bronze sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which was commissioned by Mapelli Mozzi as a gift for the monarch in 2018.