Murray promises 'I'll fight my absolute heart out' ahead of Wimbledon final

Murray: 'Knowing I am through to the final of Wimbledon fills me with so many emotions.' SNS Group

Andy Murray is standing on the brink of history as he bids to become the first British man to lift the Wimbledon singles trophy in 76 years.

The 25-year-old takes on six-time champion Roger Federer on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon, and the nation will be willing him to victory.

Murray is the first Briton to reach the men's singles final in 74 years, and is hoping to become the first British male to take the title since Fred Perry in 1936 — and the first Scot to reach the final since Harold Maloney in 1897.

"Knowing I am through to the final of Wimbledon fills me with so many emotions, but all of that will count for nothing unless I come away with the title," Murray wrote in his BBC Sport column on Sunday morning.

"The only thing I can afford to focus on is my game and Roger Federer. He is a player I've beaten in the past, and I can do it again."

He will be hoping to echo the performance of compatriot Jonny Marray, who on Saturday became the first British man to win the Wimbledon men's doubles tournament in the same amount of time — 76 years — after his victory with partner Freddie Nielsen.

Describing how he will prepare for the final, Murray said: "On Sunday I'll wake up at around 9am, have some breakfast, make my way in and warm up for the last time before packing my bags in the locker room and changing into match kit.

"Eventually, the wait will be over. The one thing I can guarantee is that I'll fight my absolute heart out.

"I need to give everything I have from the first point to the last. Roger won the the first of his 16 majors at Wimbledon in 2003. I was playing in the juniors that year, hoping one day I could do the same. Now I have my chance."

Good luck wishes have been pouring in for Murray, who is expected to be watched by the Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and David and Victoria Beckham.

The Scot was practising for the final at SW19 on Saturday with coach Ivan Lendl and hitting with fellow Briton Oli Golding.

Meanwhile his mother, Judy, revealed she had received a message from Mr Cameron, writing on Twitter: "Its not every day u get an email from the Prime Minister. Just saying."

Around 17m people are set to tune in to watch Murray's final, with the All England club expected to be full to capacity.

The demand for tickets has soared, with online ticket marketplace Viagogo saying the average sale price jumped from £3000 to £4000 to an average of £6000.

The site saw a 395% surge in traffic overnight on Friday for searches for men's finals tickets, and at one point a pair tickets were listed on the site for £32,000.

Those willing to open their wallets for tickets to the final may be able to recoup some of their money with a crafty bet.

Bookmakers William Hill has Murray at 13/8 to lift the title, and 7/2 to win the first set and then the match.

And William Hill is offering Federer at 8/15 to pick up the trophy in what will be his eighth Wimbledon final.

Murray has admitted he will be the underdog at Centre Court today, saying: "It's a great challenge, one where I'm probably not expected to win the match, but one that, if I play well, I'm capable of winning.

"If you look at his (Federer's) record here over the past 10 years or so, it's been incredible. So the pressure that I would be feeling, if it was against somebody else, I guess it would be different. There will be less on me on Sunday because of who he is."

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