London: Andy Murray was installed as the overwhelming odds-on favourite to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award for 2013 after being named Tuesday in a 10-strong shortlist.
This year saw the Scot end Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s singles winner at Wimbledon when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final of what is now the lone grasscourt event of tennis’ four major championships.
Leading British bookmaker William Hill installed Murray as the 1/50 favourite to win the award.
“The Sports Personality Of The Year did not even exist the last time a British (male) player won Wimbledon so it is fitting that Andy Murray is such a hot favourite in what is the award’s 60th year,” said Hills spokesman Rupert Adams after the shortlist was announced.
Also included on the shortlist in an award reserved for British sportsmen and women alongside Murray were US Open winner Justin Rose, Tour de France champion Chris Froome and jump jockey Tony McCoy.
The other nominees for an award decided by a public vote were world champion athletes Mo Farah and Christine Ohuruogu, sailor Ben Ainslie, England cricketer Ian Bell, rugby union star Leigh Halfpenny and wheelchair athlete Hannah Cockroft.
This year Rose gave the UK its first US Open champion since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine back in 1970.
A public vote during the December 15 awards ceremony in Leeds, northern England, will decide the winner.
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