By Duncan Mackay

Andy Murray celebrates winning Wimbledon 2013July 7 - Andy Murray ended Britain's 77 year wait for a male Wimbledon champion when he beat Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic in a thrilling three-set battle on Centre Court today in temperatures that climbed above 40 degrees. 


When Djokovic smashed a return into the net to hand the crown to a Briton for the first time since Fred Perry in 1936, Centre Court went wild, along with pubs, clubs and homes across the country packed with millions witnessing tennis history.

At the end of his 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory, Murray fell to his knees in utter joy before racing to the ­enclosure where his mother Judy, 53, father Will, 58, girlfriend Kim Sears, 25, 53-year-old coach Ivan Lendl and fellow Scotsman Sir Chris Hoy, 37, sat watching him become a legend.

"I can't believe it," said the 26-year-old Murray, who had been beaten by Switzerland's Roger Federer in last year's Wimbledon final.

"I ­understand how much everyone else wanted to see a British winner at Wimbledon.

"I'm so glad to finally do it.

"I hope you guys enjoyed it, I did my best."

Andy Murray wins Wimbledon 2013Britain's 77-year wait for a men's Wimbledon champion is over as Andy Murray celebrates victory over Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic

Murray later told his army of fans he was still in shock, tweeting: "Can't believe what's just happened!!!!!!!"

The newly crowned champ earned £1.6 million ($2.4 million/€1.9 million) in prize money.

But in all the excitement, Murray forgot to hug his mother after climbing into the family box - in what has now become something of a tradition at the SW19 club.

After embracing the others he made off back to the court to collect his trophy - but then remembered the woman who has been a constant support throughout his journey to the history books and rushed back.

"I did forget her, I just heard squealing behind me when I was trying to get down and I turned back," he later admitted.

But his mother seemed to forgive her son, who added the Wimbledon title to the Olympic gold medal he had won on the same court last year and the US Open.

"I feel very proud of him," she said.

"That has just got to be the best feeling ever, to watch your son win Wimbledon.

"This is the thing he has talked about winning since he was a little boy playing tennis and of course it was a dream that has suddenly become a reality for him."

Tributes from the world of tennis were led by Murray's opponent, who displayed graciousness in defeat.

David Cameron and Alex Salmond celebrate Andy Murray winning Wimbledon 2013British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond celebrate Andy Murray winning Wimbledon

"Congratulations to Andy, you absolutely deserve this win, you played incredible tennis," said Djokovic, who faced a crowd that included British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond who were almost unanimously backing Murray.

Perry's son said nobody would be more pleased to have seen Murray finally break the 77-year Wimbledon taboo than the former champ - who died in 1995 aged 85.

"I'm thrilled for Andy," said David Perry, 69.

"I thought he played wonderful tennis.

"He finally got what he always wanted and what he so richly deserved.

"Am I upset over the legacy being broken?

"No, not really.

"It had been 77 years and no one would be more happy than dad to see a Brit win.

"He would be so thrilled." 

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