Almost 17 million people watched the coverage of Andy Murray's Wimbledon defeat to Roger Federer
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the winner's trophy after winning his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the winner's trophy and gives a thumbs up after winning his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the winner's trophy after winning his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
DUNBLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 8: Dunblane residents watch local boy Andy Murray take on Roger Federer in a historic Wimbledon Final on July 8, 2012 in Dunblane, Scotland. Murray is the first British player to reach the mens wimbledon singles final since 1938(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britainstretches for a forehand return during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain in action during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates a point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
DUNBLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 8: Dunblane residents watch local boy Andy Murray take on Roger Federer in a historic Wimbledon Final on July 8, 2012 in Dunblane, Scotland. Murray is the first British player to reach the mens wimbledon singles final since 1938(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain throws his racket to the ground during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
DUNBLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 8: Dunblane residents watch local boy Andy Murray take on Roger Federer in an historic Wimbledon Final on July 8, 2012 in Dunblane, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Great Britain's Andy Murray during his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Stephen Pond/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Switzerland's Roger Federer waves to the crowd after beating Great Britain's Andy Murray during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Pippa (left) and Catherine Middleton the Men's Singles Final to Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Switzerland's Roger Federer kisses the trophy after defeating Great Britain's Andy Murray to win the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Sue Barker interviewing Andy Murray after his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon Final
Sue Barker interviewing Andy Murray after his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon Final
Sue Barker interviewing Andy Murray after his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon Final
Sue Barker interviewing Andy Murray after his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon Final
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Great Britain pose with their trophies after the men's final match during day fourteen of the 2010 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roger Federer;Andy Murray
FILE - JULY 08, 2012: Andy Murray has failed in his fourth attempt to win a Grand Slam final after defeat by Roger Federer in today's gentleman's Wimbledon final. Two of his previous defeats, at the US Open in 2008 and the Australian Open Open in 2010 were also at the hands of Roger Federer, while Novak Djokovic defeated him at the 2011 Australian Open. NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of the United Kingdom stand on the court after Federer won the 2008 U.S. Open Men's Championship Match in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Great Britain's Andy Murray becomes emotional after losing the Men's Singles Final to Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates with his trophy after defeating Great Britain's Andy Murray in the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Clive Rose/POOL/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Switzerland's Roger Federer (right) consoles Great Britain's Andy Murray after winnng the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Clive Rose/POOL/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Great Britain's Andy Murray during his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Stephen Pond/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Switzerland's Roger Federer waves to the crowd from the balcony near Centre Court after winning the Men's Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Great Britain's Andy Murray during his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Stephen Pond/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Great Britain's Andy Murray during his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday July 8, 2012. See PA story TENNIS Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Stephen Pond/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, including for mobile devices / apps and books. Commercial use only with prior approval. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Roger Federer and Andy Murray pose after the men's singles final at Wimbledon
Andy Murray after losing to Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final at Wimbledon
Fans camp overnight for access to the grounds for the men's final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer
Lydia Payne, left, and Rosie Erwin camp overnight for access to the grounds for the men's final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer
09 July 2012
Almost 17 million people shared Andy Murray's tears after he lost his dramatic Wimbledon match on Sunday - the highest figure for any final at the tournament for more than 20 years.
It is thought to be the biggest tennis audience since at least 1990 as the nation united to watch the Scot's nailbiting Centre Court battle with Roger Federer.
At the peak of the match, an audience of 16.9 million was tuning in, overnight figures have shown. That amounted to two-thirds of the TV audience at that time, as the tournament reached its climax. An average of 11.4 million viewers tuned in for the duration of the BBC's coverage, according to statistics.
Murray, 25, will now be reflecting on the highest profile match of his professional career after he lost 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 to Swiss Federer.
Viewers saw the British number one break down in tears as he spoke to the crowd, to thank them - and his family - for the deafening applause throughout the match.
His emotional response touched the nation, which had been willing Murray to become the first British man to win the title since Fred Perry in 1936. Instead it was Federer who made history, equalling Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon titles. The 30-year-old now has a total of 17 Grand Slams, and has restored his world number one ranking.
Murray, who is representing Great Britain in the Olympics in just a few weeks, said on Sunday night that he plans to take some time away from the game.
"There's no point in going on the court until I'm ready to go out there and learn and work hard and do the right things in the gym and in practice." He added: "So I need to take a few days off, let everything heal, recover, and then see. But I won't be on the court next week, that's for sure."
Murray's unusual display of emotion on court took fans by surprise, also reducing girlfriend Kim Sears and mother Judy Murray to tears.
Murray was watched by a galaxy of stars in the Royal Box, including the Duchess of Cambridge and sister Pippa Middleton, David and Victoria Beckham, and Prime Minister David Cameron.
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