Banish the references to Fred Perry. Throw out the record books. Andy Murray has made the history Britain was hoping for by claiming the Wimbledon men’s singles title.
Not since 1936 has the All England Club witnessed a home winner but the 26-year-old Scot fulfilled a lifetime ambition, and those of generations of tennis fans, by defeating Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
The Centre Court crowd erupted with a roar never before heard as the Serbian plunged a groundstroke into the net to give Murray the victory.
But he had thoroughly earned it. He threw off his hat, screamed in joy, and pumped his fists in the direction of his team up in the stands and he scaled the steps to hug each of them in turn. There were tears from him and his mother Judy.
It may have been straight sets but there was drama at the finale. Of course there was.
Writing the history books: Andy Murray is the first Brit to lift the Wimbledon men’s trophy since 1936
Champion: Andy Murray celebrates on his way to celebrate with the crowd after winning the Wimbledon title
Family affair: Murray embraces mother Judy as she cries tears of joy after her son’s victory
Can’t believe it: Murray collapses in celebration on Centre Court after winning his Championship point
Tough battle: A exhausted Murray embraces opponent Novak Djokovic after the heroic straight sets win
Murray needed four Championship points to get the job done but that will not matter a jot.
Serving for the match, he raced a 40-0 lead and stood on the precipice of history ground-breaking enough to shake Centre Court to its core.
But Djokovic, never one to give up easily, ensured the wait would go on a little longer, saving all three Championship points, then doing the unthinkable and holding three break points.
But Murray only increased his athleticism, his determination, his guts, to turn it around and show he was the better player.
Adulation: Murray lifts the famous trophy to the adoring Centre Court crowd after his win
Not letting go: Murray cradles the trophy the British public have craved since Fred Perry’s win in 1936
Making history: Murray celebrates winning the first set on the way to his historic victory
Flying: But World No 1 Djokovic was defeated by the brilliant Scot in straight sets
Trophy collection: Djokovic, with the runners’-up shield, congtratulates Murray after his win
It was excruciating. But what are a few extra minutes when you’ve been waiting 77 years?
The opening told how the match would take shape with plenty of break points and long rallies from the outset. There was ebb and flow too. Murray won the first three points only for Djokovic to take the next five.
At 1-1, the third game provided a vignette of the quality, excitement, and gripping tension that would follow. It took beyond 10 minutes and had epic rallies lasting 24 and 25 shots. At the end of it Murray was celebrating, finally breaking his advisory for the first time at the seventh time of asking.
Acing the competition: Murray delighted the Centre Court crowd by being in top form in the final
Cheering him on: Murray’s girlfriend Kim Sears was right behind him as he made British sporting history
Exultation: Murray became the first Brit to win the men’s Wimbledon singles title for 77 years
Splitting it up: Serbian world No 1 Djokovic takes a slide on the Centre Court grass
Djokovic broke straight back in the next game, but, at 3-3 on the Serb’s serve Murray’s defensive qualities shone through. He took it, then secured a vital, tense service game to lead 5-3. Minutes later he had the all-important first set.
The second saw more gruelling groundstroke duels before Djokovic, as expected, upped his game to break in the fourth game.
But with Murray at the peak of his abilities – full of running and incredible reaches – it never felt like that would prove definitive and indeed it proved as he broke back in the seventh. Djokovic showed an unusual lack of composure in handing the game to Murray with a double fault.
Errant challenges were also becoming a feature, and at 5-5 on his serve, Djokovic would come to rue the incorrect calls to Hawk-Eye.
At 15-15 he felt a ball from Murray fell long but he had lost the ability to challenge. After losing the point he was evidently upset, asking umpire Mohamed Lahyani: ‘You can’t see this?’
Magical: Murary celebrates another point on the way to winning the coveted title
On target: Murray was in sensational form as he claimed the Wimbledon title against the world No 1 Djokovic
It turned out he was wrong anyway and the ball clipped the line but Djokovic was rattled. The score progressed to 30-40 and a shot into the net gave Murray an important break.
He served it out, laying down an ace to take the second set and a 2-0 lead. It was so important. Not since Henri Cochet in 1927 had a player come back from two sets down to win a men’s final. That bit of history was too much to change.
Murray was on a roll, breaking Djokovic in the first game of the third set and then taking another to make it five games in a row.
But, once more, Djokovic surged, breaking Murray twice to claim four in a row in response.
Yet again the momentum swung, however, and this time decisively in Murray’s favour.
With lung-busting sprint after lung-busting sprint, he first got level to 4-4, then took the score in the penultimate game to 40-15 in his favour with a trademark forehand down the line on the run.
The game was sealed and the rest is (new) history.
Vocal support: Tennis fans swamped Murray Mound to cheer their hero on at the All England Club
No enough: World No 1 Novak Djokovic aims a shot but cannot stop Murray triumphing in straight sets
Range of emotions: Murray shows his frustration after losing a point (left) and celebrates after the match
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