Wimbledon: Andy Murray, from near-misses to giddy accomplishments

Andy Murray ended Britain's agonising 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men's singles champion on Sunday when he destroyed world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the blistering heat of the All England Club.

The 26-year-old became the country's first male winner since Fred Perry in 1936, the year the Spanish Civil War started, Jesse Owens defied Hitler at the Berlin Olympics and Gone With The Wind was published.

There was a period, between 2008 and 2012, that many and Murray himself, probably resigned to being second-best. In the '08 US Open final Murray faced the best player of our generation, Roger Federer, in the final. He was taken apart 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, a loss excused to nerves in his first Grand Slam final appearance.

In Melbourne in 2010 Murray faced Federer once again, in the Australian Open final. Yet again a straight-set 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 defeat was followed by tears from both victor and vanquished.

In the 2011 final of the Australian Open, Murray faced Novak Djokovic, a man setting out on a record-breaking year. The Scot never got going, lost 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to the indomitable Serb.

A year-and-a-half passed by and Murray found himself on Centre Court in front of his home crowd in the Wimbledon final against the then six-time champions Federer. Murray, riding on a wave of support, won the first set but was soon overwhelmed by the occasions and the Swiss Master at play. He lost the next three sets, with his tears dried away by despair and submission.

Up until the US Open in 2012, Murray's four Grand Slam finals had yielded four comprehensive defeats and not much cheer. At Flushing Meadows, he faced defending champion Djokovic. Murray won the first two sets but was out maneuvered in the next two. At the end of the fourth set, with the momentum with his opponent, Murray took a break to go to the restroom. He came back refreshed, reenergized and rejuvenated to win the decider and be crowned champion at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I looked in the mirror (in the rest-room) and said to myself, 'For one set, just give it everything you've got. You don't want to come off this court with any regrets. Don't get too down on yourself. Just try and fight'," Murray said after his first Grand Slam victory.

The tide had turned for Murray, with many now predicting a further few Grand Slam triumphs. Former Britain No.1 Tim Henman said that the 'first is the hardest', with Murray seemingly destined for glory.

However at the turn of the year familiar failings began to haunt the then 25-year-old. He reached another Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, and despite winning the first set, lost in four to Djokovic.

With 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory over world number one Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon this year, Murray has won just twice in seven Grand Slam final appearances. Not the mark of an all-time great but certainly one of an improving champion.

From a scrawny teenager who made his Wimbledon debut in 2005, to a tall, muscular player with deadly groundstrokes, Murray is reaching his peak. Since Wimbledon last year, Murray has reached four out of five Grand Slam finals. Predominately a baseliner Murray is often credited for his thinking ability while possessing understated power. The Scot also possesses one of the best lobs in the game, which Henman believes has surpassed Lleyton Hewitt.

It has never been easy to be Andy Murray. The expectations of Britain rest on his shoulders. What was once Henman Hill at the All England Club and now been re-christened Murray Mound, and with that comes enduring adulation mixed with unrelenting pressure.