CONFIRMED! Andy Murray becomes world number one after Raonic withdrawal

It’s official - Andy Murray is the new world number one.

The 29-year-old has become the first British tennis player in history to hold the top ranking after Milos Raonic withdrew from their semi-final at the Paris Masters.

He is also the oldest first-time number one since Australian John Newcombe in 1974.

The Scot needed to make the final in France to topple Novak Djokovic as the world's best and was due to face Raonic on Saturday afternoon.

But the Canadian announced before the match that he has been forced to pull out through injury.

It means Murray sails straight through to the final and automatically overtakes Serbian star Djokovic in the number one spot.

It caps off a stunning season for the Brit, arguably the greatest year of his career, having claimed his second Wimbledon crown and Olympic gold medal in the summer, lifting seven trophies in total.

He also reached the finals of the French Open and Australian Open - losing both to Djokovic.

Murray will now face big serving American John Isner in a 12th final of the year, and will do so knowing he is rated the world's best player.

MURRAY'S ROAD TO NO.1 - The Brit's ranking through the years:

2003 - 540

2004 - 411

2005 - 64

2006 - 17

2007 - 11

2008 - 4

2009 - 4

2010 - 4

2011 - 4

2012 - 3

2013 - 4

2014 - 6

2015 - 2

2016 - 1