Jamie Murray becoming No 1 is a great achievement, says Peter Fleming

Jamie Murray becoming the best doubles player in the world is a 'real testament to perseverance, hard work and inspiration', says Peter Fleming.

The Scot was beaten in the first round of this year's Miami Open with partner Bruno Soares, but when the rankings are updated on April 4 he will replace Brazil's Marcelo Melo at the top.

The 30-year-old joined his brother Andy in inspiring Britain to last year's Davis Cup crown and continued his fine run of form by lifting the Australian Open men's doubles crown two months ago alongside partner Bruno Soares for his first Grand Slam men's doubles title.

He reached his first Grand Slam doubles finals last year alongside then-partner John Peers of Australia, losing at Wimbledon and the US Open.

And former doubles world No 1 player Fleming says Jamie's incredible rise to fame is down to his work ethic and sheer determination.

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"It's a great achievement," said Sky Sports pundit Fleming. "I mean every player aspires to be No 1 in the world and he managed it and really, if you watched him play 10 years ago, it would have been a very brave man who would have guest he that he would get there at some point.

"He has matured and I think a lot of players would have retired prior to him making it on the Tour. He spent a lot of time in the Futures and Challengers level.

"His story is a real testament to perseverance, hard world and inspiration. He got inspired in the last couple of years and really has played terrifically in the last 12 months.

"He really did start to play a lot better when he got married, that was a help and obviously he's got a great support team just with his family. He has a sibling who plays tennis a little bit - it's a wonderful story."

Murray posted a picture on his Instagram account of himself sitting on a beach with the No 1 written in the sand after hearing the news.

"Last night I went to bed wondering if that was the closest I would ever get," he said. "Today driving in my car my phone started to go crazy."

Meanwhile, proud mother Judy Murray referenced sons Jamie and Andy's world rankings in doubles and singles, writing on Twitter: "No.1 is No.1. No.2 is No.2. @ATPWorldTour Think il have a fizz."

And although Fleming says Jamie will enjoy his moment in the limelight, he also believes the left-hander from Dunblane will now be looking to win more Grand Slam titles.

"He'll wake up tomorrow and say 'that was good, but now what'. If you sit on your laurels, you're history, you're gone and it really is a process driven thing. He'll want to get out and practice and do better than he did this week."

Jamie has become world No 1 before his younger brother and Fleming jokingly says Jamie is by far the better player of the two.

"I heard Andy is going to lick his boots when the rankings come out - he's going to do it for the whole week and deservedly so."

On a serious note, seven-time doubles major winner Fleming says Andy is 'his greatest supporter' and will be full of admiration for his latest achievement.

"It's really nice to see," he said. "They both support each other and when Jamie was playing in the final of the Australian Open [doubles], Andy was up past 2am watching him. He will be really pleased."

And asked whether Jamie reaching the top of the rankings will inspire Andy to do the same in the men's singles, the American added: "I don't think that will have any influence on Andy whatsoever. If you think that Andy hasn't been trying to get to No 1 for the last 10 years then you're mistaken.

"He's left no stones unturned. He just happens to play in the greatest era of all time and for him to somehow leapfrog Novak Djokovic is not going to be easy."

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