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Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Queen leads Murray plaudits after historic triumph
This article was first published 11 years ago

PHOTOS: Queen leads Murray plaudits after historic triumph

July 08, 2013 12:15 IST

Image: Queen Elizabeth II
Photographs: David Cheskin/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth joined politicians, sports stars and celebrities in congratulating Andy Murray on Sunday after he made tennis history by becoming the first Briton in 77 years to win the Wimbledon men's title.

-'Best feeling ever' to watch Andy make history: Judy Murray

-For once Murray did not let the occasion get to him

-British media rejoice in 'History Boy' Murray's triumph

Millions of tennis fans across the country were glued to their televisions as Murray took to Centre Court for his second Wimbledon final, facing the World No 1 Novak Djokovic after he lost last year to Roger Federer.

Queen Elizabeth is not a tennis fan and last came to the tournament in 2010, her first visit in 33 years, but she was reported to have sent Murray a private congratulatory message.

'Murray Mound'

Image: Spectators wearing Union flag decorated dresses
Photographs: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

At the All England Club in Wimbledon, up to 30,000 fans packed Centre Court and crowded on to a hill within the grounds recently retagged "Murray Mound" to watch the match live on a giant TV screen, chanting "Murray, Murray, Murray".

Waving Union Jack flags and sheltering from the blazing sun under umbrellas, the tension rose amongst the crowd on the hill as Murray took the first two sets against Serbian Djokovic and erupted when he won in a nail-biting finish.

'Amazing day for British tennis'

Image: Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron (right) sits with his mother Mary on Centre Court during the Wimbledon final on Sunday
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

In Centre Court's royal box, Prime Minister David Cameron cheered on the Scottish player alongside England striker Wayne Rooney, "Hangover" actor Bradley Cooper and Victoria Beckham, the ex-Spice Girl, who cracked a rare smile as Murray won.

"It was an amazing performance from Andy Murray but also an amazing day for British tennis and for Britain. He never gave up and it was magnificent," Cameron told BBC Radio 5.

Cameron earlier said he hoped Murray would add the Wimbledon title to the British and Irish Lions' win over Australia on Saturday which ended a 16-year wait for a series triumph.

One notable absentee from the royal box was the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, who watched Murray last year but is due to give birth to the future heir to the British throne.

Sir Andy Murray?

Image: A tennis fan wears a t-shirt and rosette in support of Andy Murray
Photographs: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Sports stars, celebrities and politician jumped on to Twitter to congratulate the 26-year-old Scot who is the first Briton to claim the title since Fred Perry in 1936 -- and the first British to win the tournament wearing shorts.

"Pretty sure @andy_murray might have to change his twitter name to @sirandymurray ...... Well played and deserved!," tweeted retired US tennis player Andy Roddick who lost the final at Wimbledon three times.

'Murray Mania'

Image: Emma Watson
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

"77th on the 7th of the 7th.. 2013. Cool," tweeted British actress Emma Watson, star of the Harry Potter films, referring to the fact that the number seven is considered lucky.

"Murray Mania" was running high before Sunday's match when tickets became like gold dust with website viagogo reporting one pair of tickets on sale for a record 71,000 pounds -- over 320 times more than the 260 pound face value.

'The best day ever'

Image: Dunblane residents take to the streets to celebrate after watching local boy Andy Murray of Great Britain beat Novak Djokovic
Photographs: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Some fans camped out for two days for the chance to see Murray play and were overcome with emotion when he won.

"I'm crying. This is just amazing. The best day ever," said Hannah Slater, 28, a management consultant from London.

"It's another good thing for the country. We had the London Olympics, we have a royal baby coming soon, and a win like this keeps us on a roll when times are hard," said Graham Bredbere, 47, a railway worker, from Hive in Kent.

'Finally!'

Image: Andy Murray of Britain greets his mother
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

The crowd chanted "Judy" as Murray leapt into the players' box to hug his longterm girlfriend Kim Sears, best friend Ross Hutchins who is battling cancer and his mother Judy who has been a constant presence during his career.

His mother broke down in tears and was heard to say "finally" as she hugged other supporters in the box.

Murray shied away from personal questions

Image: udy Murray (right) and Kim Sears attend the Wimbledon Championships 2013 Winners Ball
Photographs: Julian Finney/Getty Images

As for Murray, he shied away from questions about whether he would drop his usual tea-total lifestyle to celebrate, after admitting that he brushed his teeth with face cream after celebrating his US Open win last year with champagne.

He certainly was not going to get personal when asked if he would now pop the question to Sears and consider starting a family.

"I haven't thought about that yet," he told reporters.

Source: REUTERS
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