Queen leads tributes to tennis hero
The Queen and the Prime Minister led congratulations to Andy Murray as he became the first British tennis player to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon for 77 years.
The monarch sent a private message to the Scot following his emotional straight sets 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory over world number one Novak Djokovic, Buckingham Palace said.
David Cameron, who was in the Royal Box in the sweltering heat of Centre Court to see Murray's victory, said he had brought back memories of last year's London Olympics.
He told BBC News: "It was fantastic, it was an absolutely brilliant performance, an amazing day for Andy Murray but also an incredible day for British tennis and for Britain. He's an amazing player but what he showed today is not only how brilliant he is technically but also he's got this incredible courage.
"You are playing against Djokovic, who's the great artist of comebacks and never gives up and Murray just kept going. He was magnificent."
He added: "It felt like the Olympics, it felt like one of those moments when the whole country is watching and there is just an amazing sportsman who's dedicated his life and had wanted to win so badly and then just producing a performance that was exquisite."
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the Queen has sent a private message to Andy Murray following his Wimbledon victory."
Other politicians joined the Prime Minister in congratulating Murray. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who was also in the Royal Box and unfurled a Saltire after the match ended, said it was a "truly phenomenal victory". He said: "Andy's determination to win was visible in every point and he delivered an outstanding result in a real clash of tennis titans. His phenomenal performance against the world number one displayed incredible physical prowess and depths of mental fortitude. The shouts of "Come on Andy" were ringing all the way from Dunblane to SW19."
Murray's mother said she was an "emotional wreck" following his win but added: "I feel very proud of him." She said: "That has just got to be the best feeling ever, to watch your son win Wimbledon."
Mrs Murray, who said she had been "shaking" for the past three hours, said Murray would now be feeling a mixture of "disbelief and relief and sheer joy". She said: "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. I think he will be absolutely over the moon."
