THE Speaker of the House of Commons has paid tribute to Andy Murray as the two-time Wimbledon champion nears the end of his career.

John Bercow, a former child tennis star and devoted fan of the game, said the Scottish sporting legend was “the embodiment of guts and character”.

Sir Andy, 31, announced last week that he was close to retirement because of ill health.

The former World No1 said at the Australian Open that he had been struggling with pain for 20 months following hip surgery, and planned to retire after Wimbledon this summer.

At the opening of Scottish Questions in the Commons on Wednesday, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “This has been a momentous week for Andy Murray.

“It is appropriate that at this Scottish Questions we acknowledge in this House Andy’s extraordinary contribution to British sport, and his personal resilience and courage, and I express our hope that we will once again see Andy Murray on Court.”

Mr Bercow then added: “Apart from his enormous talent... Andy Murray is the embodiment of guts and character and a most terrific ambassador for Scotland, for tennis and for sport.

“His mother Judy must be the proudest mother in the world.”

Stirling Tory MP Stephen Kerr also acknowledged the constituency’s local champion.

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard added: “He is indeed a great ambassador for his country, and I believe in that capacity his best is yet to come.”

A tennis player since he was eight, Mr Bercow was Middlesex under-12s champion, but later suffered bronchial asthma that ruled it out as a career.

However he continue to play casually and was David Cameron’s doubles partner in the Commons tennis team before the latter became Prime Minister.

He also wrote a book on male tennis players, with Switzerland's Roger Federer his favourite.

Last year he declared more than £4500 worth of tickets and hospitality at tennis matches.