Andy Murray admits he was humbled after winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for the second time in three years on Sunday evening.
The 2013 winner was instrumental in guiding Great Britain on a fairytale run to their first Davis Cup victory for 79 years, where they beat Belgium in the final.
Murray won 11 of 12 points during the successful campaign that came just five years after the team was plying their trade in the third tier of the competition.
The 28-year-old also finished the season ranked as No.2 in the men’s singles world rankings behind Novak Djokovic after reaching the Australian Open final and the semi-finals of both Wimbledon and the French Open.
Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield finished as runner-up in the voting while heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill finished third after winning World Athletics Championship gold following time out of the sport to have a baby.
And after being awarded Sports Personality of the Year in front of a sell-out SSE Arena in Belfast, Murray claims his victory came as a real shock.
“I genuinely didn’t prepare anything to say because I genuinely didn’t expect this,” explained Murray.
“A friend actually sent me a message the other day with an article from a newspaper the other day which said ‘Andy Murray is more dour than a weekend in Worthing’, which I thought was a bit harsh... to Worthing!
“It’s very humbling to be up here in front of so many athletes – I’m a huge sports fan and congratulations to everyone that was involved tonight.
“I’d really like to thank my team, my team-mates and all of the staff who are absolutely incredible.
“This has been a five-year journey. We were down at the bottom level of tennis and now we’re ranked No.1 in the world which I never thought would be possible.
“I’d also like to thank my family and everyone who voted for me – I really appreciate that.
“I dedicate my life to this sport and work as hard as I can every single day to try and make you proud, so I appreciate all of the votes and thank you very much.“
And there was double delight on the night for Murray as Great Britain’s triumphant Davis Cup side also clinched Team of the Year honours.
Meanwhile, gymnast Ellie Downie was selected as the Young Sports Personality of the Year after an incredible season.
The 16-year-old claimed individual all-around bronze at the European Championships, becoming Britain’s first female gymnast in history to win a medal in that discipline.
She was also part of the British squad, along with older sister Becky, that won team bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow in October.
And after beating jockey Tom Marquand and Para-swimmer Tully Kearney, the Nottingham-born youngster was thankful for the honour bestowed upon her.
“I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone at British Gymnastics, everyone from my home club, my family, my friends and everyone who has helped me along the way,” she said.
“Well done to all the other nominees but especially another gymnast Brinn Bevan [who was on the original long list of ten nominees] – thank you very much.” Sportsbeat 2015