Andy Murray went out with a bang not a whimper. He and doubles partner Dan Evans fought boldly despite losing in straight setsIn tennis, a set consists of a number of games. Usually, tennis games consist of the best of either three or five sets. . Afterwards, the audience erupted into applause.

Murray stepped towards the centre of the OlympicRelating to the Olympic Games, which take place every four years. court. A smile lit his face for a split second. But then it was back to grumpiness as usual.

So ended the professional career of Murray, one of Britain's greatest ever sportsmen.

Murray bagged some amazing achievements. He is the only player to win two Olympic gold medals in singles. He won 46 singles titles including three grand slamsThe Grand Slam tournaments, also known as the majors, are the four most important international professional tennis events. They are the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.  . And he became the first British player to be ranked world number one, a title he held for 41 weeks.

Yet there was almost always someone better. Murray shared his career with three of the greatest players of all time: Roger Federer (310 weeks at no 1 and 103 singles titles), Rafael Nadal (209 and 92), and Novak Djokovic (428 and 98). 

He was never handsome or charming. On court, he had a gruffRough, abrupt or harsh. personality. His style of play was scrappy.

Yet Murray had something special: determination. He grew up in rural Scotland, far from the centres of professional tennis.¹ He was injured many times yet kept bouncing back.

This ability to fight on might make Murray a hero we can relate to. We might not have his talent but we can adopt his attitude.

He caps a long list of gritty British heroes, from aviator Douglas Bader, who continued to fly after losing a leg, to the explorer Apsley Cherry-Garrard, who survived the gruelling Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole.²

In sports, he joins Eddie the Eagle, the ski jumper who entered the Olympics for Britain despite a lack of previous professional experience.³ Or Darren Clarke, the 42-year-old golfer who won the US Open while ranked world no. 111.

Others would argue that Murray pales in comparison to those who have reached the peak of their field, such as Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton or cyclist Laura Kenny.⁴

Classical heroes inspired poetry. Writers wax lyrical about Federer's poise and elegance.⁵ By the time he retired he was regarded as almost superhuman. The same cannot be said of Murray.

Is he Britain's greatest sporting hero?

Yes: There are others who have achieved greater success, albeit in more nicheA very specific thing. sports. But Murray's initiative, gumptionResourcefulness, or the ability to think about what to do in a situation and then do it. and desperation to beat the odds makes him a true hero and positive role model.

No: British commentators desperately want him to be one. But ultimately it is the winning that counts. We can admire and respect Murray, but the greatest sporting hero needs to stand at the very top.

Or... Sportspeople are not heroes. They spend their lives winning fame and fortune for doing something they love but has no social value. The real heroes are those fighting to make the world a better place.

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.