Andy Murray pledges his allegiance to Scotland should they vote for independence

  • The world number nine won Olympic Gold at London 2012 for Great Britain
  • Murray guided Great Britain to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup this year
  • The Scot is currently playing in the US Open, beating German qualifier Matthias Bachinger in the early hours of Friday morning 6-3 6-3 6-4
  • Murray faces world No 96 Andrey Kuznetsov in the third round on Saturday

By Alex Sharp for MailOnline

Andy Murray says he would play tennis for an independent Scotland if the country votes Yes.

The former Wimbledon champion said he still firmly believed people in Scotland will vote No next month, but has always remained silent on how it would affect him.

Murray – who won Olympic Gold at London 2012 for Great Britain – is ready to represent Scotland at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The British No 1 made it through to the third round of the US Open with a comfortable straight sets win over German qualifier Matthias Bachinger in the early hours of Friday morning.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Andy Murray in tears at freedom of Stirling Speech (Archive) 

Success: Andy Murray celebrates his second round win at the US Open against  Matthias Bachinger

Success: Andy Murray celebrates his second round win at the US Open against  Matthias Bachinger

He said: ‘If it happened where, if Scotland became independent, then I imagine I would be playing for Scotland.

‘I haven't thought that much about that yet because I don't think it's looking too likely that it's going to happen. But if it did happen, then it would be pretty much the first time in my life that I would have ever represented Scotland. 

‘Ever since I started travelling to tournaments since I was 11 years old I played under Great Britain, always travelled to team events or overseas, and we were always Great Britain. That's normal to me.

Gold: The Scot represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, winning a Gold and Silver medal

Gold: The Scot represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, winning a Gold and Silver medal

Breakthrough: The Scot's straight sets win over Roger Federer handed Murray the 2012 Olympic Gold medal

Breakthrough: The Scot's straight sets win over Roger Federer handed Murray the 2012 Olympic Gold medal

Doubles triumph: Murray teamed up with Laura Robson to win Silver in the mixed doubles at London 2012

Doubles triumph: Murray teamed up with Laura Robson to win Silver in the mixed doubles at London 2012

‘I've followed it very closely. I watched like 45 minutes of the second debate. But I didn't see the first one. I'm not going into that. I don't want to talk about politics in here. I'll worry about my tennis.’

If Scotland votes Yes, his first major appearance could happen at the Olympics in Rio 2016.

He watched the second TV debate between Alex Salmond and Alastair Darling on Monday, during his competition at the US Open Championships.

Along with his singles Gold medal at London 2012, Murray also teamed up with Laura Robson to win the mixed doubles Silver title.

The Scot has also been an integral part of Great Britain's revival in the Davis Cup, winning 19 of his 21 singles matches since making his debut in 2005.

Team GB: Murray has an impressive Davis Cup record for Great Britain, winning 19 of his 21 singles matches

Team GB: Murray has an impressive Davis Cup record for Great Britain, winning 19 of his 21 singles matches

The British No 1 guided Leon Smith's Davis Cup side to the quarter-finals this season where they narrowly lost away to Italy.

Murray. who won the US Open title in 2012, will play World No 96 in the third round at Flushing Meadows on Saturday as he looks to win his first title since triumphing at Wimbledon last summer. 

In action: The British number one is currently in New York at the US Open where he has reached the last 32

In action: The British number one is currently in New York at the US Open where he has reached the last 32

Quick win: Murray cruised to a straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-4 win over German qualifier Matthias Bachinger on Friday

Quick win: Murray cruised to a straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-4 win over German qualifier Matthias Bachinger on Friday

Glory: The 2012 US Open champion hasn't won a title since his Wimbledon triumph last summer

Glory: The 2012 US Open champion hasn't won a title since his Wimbledon triumph last summer

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