( CNN ) -- You can be forgiven for losing track of time the morning after a night 77 years in the making . `` Oh sorry , that 's my alarm , '' says an apologetic Andy Murray as his alarm trills while being interviewed . `` That was the finals day time for getting up , 915am ... just for yesterday . '' Yesterday was Sunday July 7 and the day which saw Murray secure his place in British sporting history . In the 24 hours between those two alarms going off , Murray 's world irrevocably changed with his 6-4 7-5 6-4 win over over Novak Djokovic in straight sets ensuring he became Britain 's first men 's singles champion at Wimbledon since 1936 . It had been the most energy-sapping three sets of his career , with the world No . 2 eventually beating the world No . 1 following three hours of brutal battle , but Murray did n't want to go to sleep . After waiting his entire career to win the title Britain had so wanted for nearly eight decades , the Scot was scared of waking up to discover it was all a dream . `` That 's the one worry you have when you go to bed , '' Murray told CNN after becoming the first male British singles champion at Wimbledon since Fred Perry . `` You wake up and it 's actually not true , so I was obviously very happy and relieved that I had done it . '' Blog : Murray grasps opportunity to make history . Twelve months ago Murray had sobbed on Centre Court after losing his first Wimbledon final to Roger Federer . Redemption came a month later on the same court against the same opponent , only with a different outcome . The Scot won to clinch Olympic gold at London 2012 and the hearts of a jubilant British public began to soften towards a man that had arguably come up short in the popularity stakes when compared to another British tennis star -- the now retired -- Tim Henman . In September a first grand slam title promptly followed at the U.S. Open , as Murray beat Djokovic in five sets in New York . `` Last year was the toughest loss of my career , '' explained the 26-year-old Murray when asked about his defeat in last year 's Wimbledon final . `` It was the first time I responded well from a grand slam defeat and the Olympics helped . `` That period after the Wimbledon final and the Olympics was probably the most important of my career because it could have gone the other way . I could have not recovered from it and it could have been a struggle but I worked hard . `` I said after the semifinal that Wimbledon is the pinnacle of the sport , '' added Murray , referring to his comments after his last four win over Jerzy Janowicz . `` To do it with all of the pressure and stuff was really tough , it took a lot out of me . I 'm just glad I do n't have to worry about it anymore . '' Weight of expectation . Murray might have been worrying , but so to has the British public . Worrying about a Briton winning Wimbledon has been a national pastime . He is the country 's sole male tennis star and his annual quest for grass-court glory grips millions of anxious fans . While the shouts of encouragement inside Centre Court can work in Murray 's favor , the media interest and the weight of expectation can also be a monkey on his back . `` During the match you try to embrace the pressures , the emotions and the struggle you 're going through out there , '' said Murray . `` You have to embrace the occasion , but it 's not necessarily enjoyment . You enjoy the winning and the outcome . If you lose , you 're incredibly disappointed . '' It looked as if the pressure might just be too much for Murray in what proved to be the deciding game of an absorbing final . Murray , calm and composed , was 40-0 up with three championship points . Ever the competitor , Djokovic showed the spirit and skill which has led him to six grand slam titles by hitting back . A nation held its breath . `` In that moment it must have been hard for people to watch , '' admitted Murray , who saved three break points before Djokovic found the net and the celebrations kicked off . `` Last night I just saw the last game , it was tough to watch even though I knew the outcome , '' said the Scot . After such a momentous triumph , it is tempting to suggest Murray can rest on his laurels . But the man from Dunblane has more grand slams in his sights , starting with a return to the Big Apple at the end of August . `` For me it 's been to gradual improve throughout my career , '' he answers . `` Year upon year just getting a little bit better and change a few things . `` I will have a rest now and get myself ready to defend the U.S. Open . It will be my first time trying to defend a grand slam title so it will be a new pressure for me , a new experience and I look forward to it . '' He better keep that alarm on .
Andy Murray describes last year 's Wimbledon defeat as `` worst of his career '' and he is not alone. The world No . 2 becomes the first British male to win singles title in 77 years . Murray defends his U.S. Open title when the tournament begins next month .