Briton wins after 77 years
July 7, 2013
On picture-perfect sunny Sunday in London, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), Andy Murray saved both players and the thousands of spectators from a much longer day in the heat by sweeping Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Murray, a Scotsman, is the first British citizen to win the prestigious Wimbledon men's tournament in 77 years. The last man to do so was Fred Perry in 1936. Murray made it to the final but lost in 2012 to Roger Federer.
While it was Murray's first Grand Slam win at Wimbledon, he won a gold medal there last summer at the 2012 London Olympics.
With a number of prominent guests in the gallery - including British Prime Minister David Cameron and Olympic gold-medal cyclist Chris Hoy - Murray painted the lines of the court, varied his shot selection, and showed remarkable endurance and focus during a number of long rallies with Djokovic.
"I have played Novak many times and when everyone finishes playing, he will go down as one of the fighters," said Murray in a court-side interview after the match. "He did the same today and that is what made it tough. I understand how much everyone wanted to see a British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it."
Djokovic held out for three championship points before Murray put away the match on the fourth after Djokovic hit a short into the net.
"It wasn't easy," Djokovic's said of Murray's performance under immense expectations. "Andy deserves the win, he played incredible tennis. Congratulations to him and his whole team and the country, I know what it means to you all."
mz/rc (AP, Reuters)