Andy Murray ended 77 years of hurt for British tennis as he clinched the Wimbledon men's singles title.

Not since Fred Perry won for the third successive year, in 1936, had the grass-court grand slam seen a home victory in the men's final.

But Murray put last year's defeat to Roger Federer firmly behind him by beating world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4 on Centre Court.

The annual reminder that another year has passed since Perry’s pomp will not come in 2014; instead it will be Murray returning to defend the title he won quite brilliantly on a searingly hot day in London.

Murray landed the US Open in New York title last September, after winning Olympic gold at Wimbledon, but today’s prize was the one he, like generations of previous British challengers before, had wanted the most.

Murray broke down in tears of joy and relief when Djokovic found the net at match point down.