Andy Murray Kim Sears
Andy Murray and Kim Sears have been together for eight years. Reuters

Tennis star Andy Murray has got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Kim Sears, his agent has confirmed.

Murray and Sears have been a couple since 2005, but have previously dismissed questions about whether they intend to tie the knot.

The Wimbledon champion in believed to have proposed to Ms Sears last Wednesday with a diamond ring.

The couple first met at the U.S. Open in 2005. Her father is player-turned-coach Nigel Sears.

The Sussex born beauty is an artist, who prefers to stay out of the public eye, except for the occasions when she turns out at tennis tournaments to support Murray.

27-year-old Murray has previously said that he could not have come back to win Wimbledon in 2013 following his 2012 defeat without the unfaltering support of his girlfriend.

Heading to the Philippines to play in the International Premier Tennis League Murray made no mention of his big news on Twitter.

"Off to the Philippines for the first time today, should be a fun trip... Anyone got some suggestions for first time tourists in Manila?"

In January this year, the Dunblane-born sports star was forced to deny that he planned to marry his long-time girlfriend after joking about his love life on Twitter during a Twitter Q&A.

Asked by fans when he plans to marry Miss Sears, Murray sent Twitter into a frenzy when he replied: "We're getting married just after Wimbledon, should be a great day."

He later wrote another tweet explaining that his comment was tongue-in-cheek.

"3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill Rafael Nadal.. [sic]"

A spokesman for the star also issued a clarification on the matter saying: "Andy Murray is not getting married this summer."

In an earlier interview with the Scottish Daily Mail, Murray revealed that he hoped to have children with Ms Sears some day.

"I can see myself having a family one day. It is something that I'm starting to think about because Kim and I have been together for eight years," he explained.

News of the engagement came as Murray revealed he was parting company with his coaching team, Dani Vallverdu and Jez Green. In a statement this afternoon, he said he was committed to working with Amelie Mauresmo next year.

Meanwhile, the tennis star's timeline on Twitter has been flooded with messages of congratulations.

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