Andy Murray at Wimbledon: The best moments

It marked the end of a relationship that has given British tennis fans some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history, including two titles that saw Murray end a 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion.

Here’s a look back at some of the former world number 1s’ finest moments at Wimbledon:

A Centre Court debut to remember

In 2005, 18-year-old Andy Murray turned up as a wildcard at Wimbledon, ready to make his debut on the world-famous grass courts of SW19.

Murray defeated George Bastl in the first round, but then surprisingly defeated world number 13 Radek Stepanek in straight sets to earn his first call-up to Centre Court, where he faced former world number three David Nalbandian.

In what would be the first of many appearances at Centre, a young Murray was unfazed by the big event. The British teenager took the first two sets against the experienced Argentine 7-6(4), 6-1 before cramp halted his performance

He kept fighting, but in the end it was Nalbandian who won in five sets, despite Murray’s efforts to endure the pain.

Although the final result did not go in his favour, Murray had put himself on the map not only with the tennis world, but also with the British fans, and made it known that he was someone to watch in the future.

Teenager Murray takes on former runner-up Roddick

It wasn’t until a year later that Murray achieved one of his most important victories at The Championships, beating the last two tournament runner-up and third seed Andy Roddick 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4.

The Briton saved 11 of 12 break points against the strong American to not only achieve the best win of his career, but also reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

“I think this is my biggest win – beating a two-time Wimbledon finalist, former world number one and Grand Slam champion on Centre Court in three sets,” Murray said in his post-match interview with BBC Sport.

“I feel sorry for Andy, he’s such a great guy and a really good champion. It’s a shame I had to beat him.”

Murray’s comeback over Gasquet

When talking about Murray’s famous Wimbledon matches, it’s hard to ignore his comeback against Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

In the fourth round in 2008, Murray struggled against a 22-year-old French star who led by two sets on Centre Court.

The Briton faced break points in the third period when he was 4-3 down, but still managed to secure the set in a tiebreak and went on to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-4.

“That was the best moment I’ve ever had on a tennis court,” Murray admitted after what would become a famous victory for the Briton.

“It’s a great feeling to come back from two sets down and win. The crowd was behind me when I needed it and it was a privilege to have them behind me.”

The breakthrough in the semi-final

In the years that followed, Murray developed into a top-ten player and was a regular challenger at Wimbledon, reaching the semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2011, losing twice to Roddick and then to Rafael Nadal.

Each time Murray came close to that elusive final, but failed to make it to the finish. That was until 2012.

After a thrilling battle with Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarterfinals, Murray went on to a familiar opponent: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He had to face the Spanish national coach. He won the final.

Murray entered the match as a slight favourite, having defeated the Frenchman in the final at Queen’s Club the previous year, and he managed to equal the result 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 47 minutes.

In doing so, Murray became the first British man in 74 years to reach the men’s singles final and the first Briton to win a semi-final in the last 11 attempts.

Murray would face Wimbledon’s most successful champion, Roger Federer, in the final, eventually losing to him: 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Not the ending Murray and the British fans wanted, but surviving the semi-final and gaining that experience in the final would prove invaluable for years to come.

Murray forges Wimbledon legacy with first title

The pressure on Murray in 2013 was immense. The Briton had just won his first Grand Slam at the US Open, captured the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wimbledon and reached the final at SW19 the year before.

The world number 2 effortlessly reached the quarter-finals, but then had to make another great comeback from a two-set deficit against Fernando Verdasco, eventually beating Jarry Janowicz to reach the final.

Of course, it was Novak Djokovic who stood in his way of his first Wimbledon title.

The Serb was world number one and had beaten Murray in the Australian Open final earlier this season, but nothing stood in the way of the Briton realising his lifelong dream.

Murray defeated Djokovic in three sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, to become the first Briton to win the singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

In front of 15,000 cheering fans on Centre Court, Murray fell to his knees as Djokovic’s backhand hit the net. It was his fourth championship point and he was immortalised in British sporting history.