Andy Murray will be at Queen’s Club in London to open a stadium named after him: the Andy Murray Arena. This is a big honor for the British tennis star, who has won five titles at this tournament—more than any other male player. To celebrate his success, the stadium will temporarily carry his name during this year’s event.
On Monday, a special ceremony will take place to recognize Murray’s achievements. He will be the main guest as fans and officials thank him for all he has done for British tennis.
This year’s Queen’s Club tournament is also special because women’s singles matches are returning for the first time in 52 years. So, it’s a double celebration honoring a great champion and welcoming more women’s tennis to the event.
Scott Lloyd, the head of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), said:
“Andy is the greatest tennis player this country has ever had and a true legend of British sport. We are proud to name the arena after him during our tournament at Queen’s Club.”
But Andy Murray is not the only tennis star with a stadium named after them. Here are four more players who have received the same honor:
1. Rod Laver
The Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, is named after one of the greatest players in tennis history. Rod Laver won the Grand Slam (all four major tournaments in one year) twice, and the stadium is now home to the Australian Open.
2. Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York is the main stadium for the US Open. Ashe was a powerful player and an important voice for equality and justice in sports. His stadium is the biggest tennis arena in the world.
3. Margaret Court
In Australia, Margaret Court Arena is named after the woman who holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles—24. She was one of the sport’s most successful players in the 1960s and 70s.
4. Rafael Nadal
Spain honored Rafael Nadal by naming a tennis center after him: the Rafa Nadal Academy in his hometown of Manacor, Mallorca. While it’s not a stadium for tournaments, it’s a world-class training facility for young players and holds special matches too.
These tennis stars have made such a big impact on the sport that their names will live on—not just in record books, but also in the places where the game is played. Andy Murray now joins this special group.
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