The 26-year-old from Dunblane in Scotland has ended Britain’s agonising 77-year wait for another male champion defeating Serbian favourite Novak Djokovic in straight sets. 

Wimbledon represents Murray’s second Grand Slam title, following his breakthrough US Open victory in 2012. The All England Tennis Club was also the venue where Murray defeated Djokovic to win a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Playing in sweltering 40-degree heat, Murray never looked in danger against the Serbian no.1 – who clearly looked to be suffering from the effects of his five set epic in the semi-finals against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

Despite leading 4–1 in the second set and 4–2 during the third, Djokovic was simply outplayed by Murray. The Scot hit 36 winners to the Serb’s 31 and had nearly half as many unforced errors.

The significance of his victory was not lost on Murray – who acknowledged the weight of expectation that had been placed on him in the last few years every time he played at Wimbledon.

“It’s really hard. For the last four or five years, it’s been very, very tough, very stressful, a lot of pressure,” Murray said to Foxsports.

“It’s so hard to avoid everything because of how big this event is but also because of the history and no Brit having won.”

In what should be a worrying prospect for Murray’s rivals, the Scot now feels that this burdensome weight has been lifted and will make him a better player.

“I think now it will become easier. I hope it will. I hope it will.”

Djokovic admitted that he perhaps wasn’t as fresh as he could have been following his four and a half hour semi-final match, but refused to use that as an excuse.

“I cannot look for excuses but yes the previous match went almost five hours, five sets,” Djokovic said. “I felt OK but maybe physically I didn’t have enough gas in the important moments.

“But he (Murray) played fantastic tennis, no question about it. He deserved to win.”

With Roger Federer seemingly fading into old age and Rafa Nadal suffering from chronic knee problems, Murray and Djokovic have competed against one another in three of the last four Grand Slam finals.

Seems likely that the two will meet in a few more in the coming years.

Image: Getty