Wimbledon 2013: Andy Murray happy to make Dunblane proud after 1996 tragedy

Killings of 16 children and a teacher by a former Thomas Hamilton still scar the Scottish town

Andy Murray, a pupil at the school who was present on the day of the massacre, has given Dunblane cause to be portrayed in a positive light (Getty Images)

Andy Murray has revealed his satisfaction at being able to bring joy to the people of Dunblane.

The killings of 16 children and a teacher by former Scout leader Thomas Hamilton at Dunblane Primary School in March 1996 still scar the Scottish town.

But Murray, a pupil at the school who was present on the day of the massacre, has given Dunblane cause to be portrayed in a positive light, as the place where the reigning Olympic and US Open men's tennis champion grew up.

In an emotional BBC interview, during which he broke down in tears, Murray made it clear that harrowing memories of the day had stayed with him.

He said: "It's something I've never really spoken about since I went on tour, since I began getting asked a lot about it by the press, because it's something that was obviously for all of my family, and the town...

"At the time, you have no idea how tough something like that is. As you start to get older you realise.

"The thing that is nice now, the whole town, they recovered from it so well.

"It wasn't until a few years ago that I started to research it and look into it a lot because I didn't really want to know.

"It is just nice that I've been able to do something the town is proud of."

Murray also reached the Wimbledon final last summer and begins his latest campaign in London on day one against Germany's Benjamin Becker.

Murray will continue his support for the hospital treating his good friend Ross Hutchins, who is due to be in the Royal Box for the first day's play today.

Murray will have the name of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where Davis Cup doubles player Hutchins underwent six months of chemotherapy treatment, on his Wimbledon kit.

Murray donated his £73,000 winnings from his third title at Queen's Club to the charity and was also the central figure in the Rally Against Cancer exhibition event that followed the final.

The British number one said: "Ross has been so brave throughout his diagnosis and treatment for cancer, and I want to support him, and the hospital which has been treating him, as much as I can.

"Last Sunday was a great day for so many reasons, winning the title then taking part in Rally Against Cancer, which has raised an amazing £250,000 so far.

"After Rally, the natural progression was Wimbledon, and the sleeve patch is just a small way I can show my support for Ross and the Royal Marsden and continue to raise awareness."

Follow game-by-game coverage of Andy Murray's first match of Wimbledon 2013 against Benjamin Becker

PA