Reginald Brace: Scot still matches Perry’s requirements to win a grand slam

Andy Murray, the first British player to reach the title round since Bunny Austin in 1938; Jonny Marray, from Sheffield, the first Briton to make the men’s doubles final since Mike Davies and Bobby Wilson were runners-up in 1960.

If any scenario called for a happy ending it was this, but sadly, for patriots, it was not to be a dual celebration.

Murray played a fine match against Roger Federer but in the end bowed to one of the game’s legendary players in four splendid sets. There were tears from the loser at the presentation ceremony, but only the harshest of critics would lambast a brave attempt to close the 76-year gap since Fred Perry triumphed for Britain in 1936.

Federer joined Pete Sampras and William Renshaw in winning seven Wimbledon titles. He did it with sleek ground strokes, a divine touch on the volley and venomous serving when it was needed.

Murray matched him for long stretches of the contest but ultimately the sheer class of his opponent proved too much for him to contain. “I’m getting closer,” he said wryly.

I am convinced there will be a grand slam title for Murray in a career that is still developing. Fred Perry once told me what attributes a player needed to become a champion. “Talent, purpose and a bit of luck in the right place at the right time,” said Fred.

“But you can’t manufacture champions. It’s the player who wants it badly enough who comes through.”

Murray ticks all of those boxes.

For Marray the dream came true as he partnered Denmark’s Freddie Nielsen to a five-set victory over fifth seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau which made him the first British winner of the men’s doubles title since Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey in 1936.

The likeable Sheffield player has been earning an average of £23,000 a year in a decade competing in the less publicised events on the world tour.

Saturday’s triumph left him £130,000 better off as well as affording him the prestige of becoming a Wimbledon champion.

Jonny has long been regarded as one of the best and most natural volleyers in the British game.

He was sharp, decisive and mobile in helping Nielsen to crown a magnificent run. They were wild cards in the event but eliminated four seeded pairs including the world’s top combination, the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, in the semi-finals.

It all added up to an unforgettable tournament for the cheerful Yorkshireman who drew applause for his sportsmanship when he told the umpire he had touched the net with his racket after a volley during the third set tie-break.

In doing so he gifted a point to the opposition, but at least his conscience was clear.

“You own up to these things,” he said. And happily it did not affect an uplifting result.