Murray to tie the knot

London - British tennis star Andy Murray has announced that he will marry girlfriend Kim Sears later this year during a question-and-answer session with fans on Twitter on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old reigning Wimbledon champion was responding to questions on the micro-blogging website when one fan, @saravana_24, asked, "When are you getting married?"

Murray replied: "We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day."

Murray and Sears, daughter of British tennis coach Nigel Sears, have been together since 2005 and she is a regular presence at his matches.

However, the couple have previously dodged questions about whether or not they plan to wed.

This year's Wimbledon runs from June 23 to July 6 and will see Murray attempt to defend the title he won for the first time last year, ending a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at the tournament.