Andy Murray Has Proposed To Longtime Girlfriend Kim Sears

Tennis star Andy Murray has proposed to long-term girlfriend Kim Sears, after more than nine years together.

The Wimbledon champion has been in a relationship with Miss Sears since they met at the US Open in 2005, apart from a brief split around five years ago.

Andy’s family – including his mum Judy, who took part in this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing – are said to be overjoyed by the news.

The 27-year-old sports star proposed on Wednesday with an expensive diamond ring: ‘Andy spent ages thinking about the ring, he chose the design himself and picked it up last week. He then proposed on Wednesday.

‘Kim said “yes” immediately. They are completely besotted with each other and have been there for each other through thick and thin.

‘They are just going to enjoy themselves before they start planning their big day.’

Representatives have confirmed the engagement.

Sussex-born Miss Sears, 26, who has an English Literature degree, paints from their home in Surrey, where she looks after the couple’s beloved dogs Maggie May and Rusty.

It has not always been plain sailing for the couple, who split in 2009, with reports Kim, the daughter of player-turned-coach Nigel Sears, then 21, moved out of the mansion they shared in Surrey and returned home to her parents.

Kims face has became familiar to millions of tennis fans worldwide, especially at Wimbledon, as she cheers on the Scot from the stands.

Dunblane-born Murray has previously admitted he couldn’t have come back to win Wimbledon in 2013 – after his 2012 defeat – if it hadn’t been for her constant support.

In the past Murray has been notoriously reluctant to answer questions about his relationship.

Earlier this year he was forced to deny that he planned to marry her after joking about proposing on Twitter.

Asked when he plans to marry Miss Sears during a Twitter Q&A with fans in January, Murray responded: ‘We’re getting married just after Wimbledon, should be a great day.’

But just hours later, Murray was forced to issue another tweet explaining he was joking around after the original message went viral.

He tweeted: ‘3 things.. I don’t smoke grass, I’m not getting married(yet) and I don’t want to kill rafael Nadal…’

At the time a spokesman for the star confirmed that ‘Andy Murray is not getting married this summer.’