Andy Murray's performance in the US Open has catapulted him into the world's sporting elite and will earn him a staggering £10million a year.

It is predicted the 21-year-old will bank that sum thanks to his run at Flushing Meadows which saw him finish runner-up to Roger Federer in his first Grand Slam final.

By proving he is now one of the top four players in a global sport - only Rafael Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic are higher in the rankings - Murray's future, already financially secure, will now see him stand alongside the leading stars of golf, boxing and motor racing.

Sports marketing and sponsorship expert Nigel Currie, of Brand-Rapport, said: "Now that Andy has made this breakthrough you are talking about £10m in terms of annual income from advertising and sponsorship deals.

"He already has some lucrative deals in place such as Highland Spring, Head, RBS and Fred Perry and there will be big bonuses to be paid for reaching a Grand Slam final.

"While everyone accepts that football is different, in terms of an individual sport Andy has cracked it by making the final of the US Open and beating Rafael Nadal, the No1, in such style in the semi-final. He is now a globally recognisable athlete."

The British No1 received a cheque for $1m (£570,000) for finishing second in New York and has already promised to make "a sound investment" with it.

But despite the lucrative rewards on the tennis circuit, Murray says that his main motivator is glory not cash.

The defeat to Federer has only reinforced his resolve to become the first Briton to win a Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936.

Murray said: "I don't want to be remembered for having lost in the final of the US Open. I want to win one of these tournaments and will try my hardest to do that.

"This loss will motivate me hugely because I was three sets away from winning a Slam which is much closer than I was at this time last year.

"I worked really hard to get to this stage and I am going to have to improve even more and getting physically stronger. For the rest of this year, I want to continue to work hard off court and then the results will come on it.

"Beating Nadal at the Open was the biggest achievement for me this year, having to play over two days.

"Mentally, that was huge and I could have had problems in the past being down in the fourth set, but I came through to win. I may not have come back in the past, but I was able to because I am stronger mentally and physically plus more mature.

"I am nowable to work out how to beat the big guys like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, and now I need to do that regularly in the big tournaments. I am excited about what could happen in the future."

After his individual success, Murray's focus now turns to team matters as a week on Friday he will lead Great Britain in their Davis Cup relegation play-off with Austria at Wimbledon.

Ticket sales are sure to soar after Murray's display in New York and the Scot is hopeful of giving the home fans something to cheer about.

He said: "We are changing surfaces again, but it is a great opportunity to get back into the World Group, even though Austria will be tough."