Andy Murray breaks down in tears after winning Wimbledon a second time and tells family: ‘I love you all’
He later revealed the secret to his success - three nights of unbroken sleep thanks to his five-month-old daughter Sophia
NEW dad Andy Murray broke down yesterday after winning Wimbledon for a second time as he told his family: “I love all of you.”
The British tennis ace was full of emotion after a cracking win over 147mph serve king Milos Raonic.
And he later revealed a secret to his success in the men’s singles final — three nights of unbroken sleep, thanks to his five-month-old daughter Sophia.
Prince William and Kate, who watched the thrilling match from the Royal Box, were quick to congratulate the Scot.
William asked Andy: “How’s your daughter?” to which he replied “She’s great. Last three nights slept through.”
The prince then told him it was “a good omen”.
Kate said: “Many congratulations, it was a great game” before Wills added: “So pleased for you, well done.”
The Duchess then parted with the words: “You can relax with your family now.”
Andy added afterwards: “Having a child, you know, it gives you a different perspective.
“It also has given me a little bit of extra motivation, as well — to work hard, train hard, and do all of the right things to give myself a chance to win these events.”
Andy, 29, beat his 25-year-old Canadian opponent in three straight sets in a thrilling 168-minute final.
At the finish, overcome with emotion, he dropped his racquet to the ground and buried his head in his hands.
After walking to the players’ chairs he wept before turning to wife Kim and parents Judy and William and pointing to the heavens.
Kim, 28, who gave birth to Sophia in February, looked choked as she mouthed “Wow”.
And even his coach Ivan Lendl had tears in his eyes.
Murray applauded the fans and threw his sweatband and priceless racquet into the crowd. After being presented with the trophy, he declared: “I had some great moments here and some tough losses so the wins feel extra special.
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“I played really good stuff today, but Milos has had some great wins here and he’s done so well. Big thank you to all of my team and to my family. I love you all.
“Last time I was so relieved and because there was so much stress and pressure I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. I will make sure I enjoy this one tonight.”
As Andy wept as he kissed the men’s singles trophy, the odds on him being knighted were slashed to 6/4 with Coral.
His price for being the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was also cut to 10/11 from 6/4.
Coral PR man John Hill said his firm took a £20million hit as punters backed Andy.
The supercool sportsman capped his day by taking the trophy for an ice bath — with the picture being posted online.
He revealed he wanted to take the trophy to bed with him last night but had to give it back an hour after his victory.
He told BBC presenter Sue Barker: “I didn’t want to let go of it. I don’t get to see it again until tomorrow.
“It’s a shame, I would have liked to have taken it back and slept with it.”
An estimated record 18 million Brits watched the final on TV. It saw Andy walk away £2million prize money.
It was Murray Mania from the very start of the day with fans sprinting to Henman Hill after 10.30am when they were let in to bag their spot for the day.
Andy won the first set 6-4 and the second 7-6 in a tie break. He claimed his third Grand Slam title with another 7-6 win in the next set.
At times during the match he seemed frustrated with his game and muttered to himself.
But as he closed in on victory his remarks showed he was composed and in control.
His last comment before his win was simply: “Let’s go, now, let’s go.”
Yesterday was not the first time Andy had been in tears on Centre Court.
After losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 final, he gave a tearful speech in which he said: “I’m getting closer.”
The next year he beat Serbia’s Novak Djokovic to become Britain’s first men’s singles winner since Fred Perry in 1936.
Andy is said to have a £58million value through endorsements and commercial deals. But his victory is expected to push his value up to an incredible £120million.
Last night there were calls for Murray to be made Sir Andy.
Tory MP Andrew Percy said: “I would fully support him getting a knighthood.
“He has cheered the nation up after the failure of our footballers. It’s taken a Scot to cheer Britain up.”