Andy Murray has admitted he took time to accept his knighthood due to concerns it may have an adverse impact on his career.
Murray was announced as the recipient of a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list, capping the best year of his career to date.
As well as winning Wimbledon for a second time, he retained his Olympic title 2016 and topped the world rankings for the first time after eight tournament victories.
At the age of 29, the Scot has plenty of time to add to his growing list of accomplishments and he has already begun this year by increasing his gap over world No 2 Novak Djokovic.
Murray concedes he did briefly worry a knighthood may prove an unnecessary weight on his shoulders after being informed by wife Kim via an email of the honour.
The Scot, who was on a training camp in Miami at the time, told The Times: "I got it when I woke up in the morning, just saying that I had been offered and [asking] would I like to accept.
"I spoke to a few of the people closest to me. I didn't have too long, but obviously you think about something like that because I do feel like it's obviously a big honour.
"With that comes maybe a little bit more responsibility. I'm still very young, I'm still competing and obviously don't want anything to distract me or affect my performance on the court."
Murray accepted the knighthood after discussing the issue with Kim and his mother Judy - although brother Jamie was not confided in and only found out on the night of the announcement.
He said: "I kept it fairly quiet and just spoke to the people that I was closest with and explained what the situation was. I just tried to get the best advice possible."
The honour is already proving mildly awkward for Murray, who added: "A few of the players have been chatting to me about it and asking how it works, what does it mean and what do we call you. Andy is fine."
In a wide-ranging interview, Murray revealed he would like to explore coaching once he quits tennis - and has not ruled out an audacious move into football.
He said: "Something within British tennis probably, potentially coaching another player. I would like to do something in football. I watch loads of it. I am into my fantasy sports a lot.
"I would like to try my hand at coaching at some stage but I wouldn't think immediately after I finish. I would like to spend a lot of time at home with family and see my child, or children, growing up."