Andy Murray Bests Novak Djokovic to Take U.S. Open Title

Before Andy Murray made Britain proud when he scored a win at the 2012 London Olympics, there was a dark cloud hanging over him. He had four different shots at a Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open but fell short every time, much to the disappointment of his fans–and Murray himself.

After the big win, there was hope that maybe, just maybe, Murray would be able to take home a Grand Slam title and end a 76-year major trophy drought for Britain. And on Monday night, in the fifth set against defending champion Novak Djokovic, Murray finally did it.

Getting to the win was no easy task. Despite a sloppy start, Djokovic looked to be making a comeback half-way through, but Murray was ultimately able to seal the deal. After all was said and done, the match had lasted 4 hours and 54 minutes, tying the record for the longest U.S. Open final.

With a final score of 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2, Murray became the first British man to take home a Grand Slam singles championship since Fred Perry in 1936, putting to end a long streak of disappointments. Above all else, Murray felt relieved.

“Even after I won the Olympics,” Murray recalled Monday, “I still got asked, ‘When are you going to win a Grand Slam?'”

“Relief is probably the best word I would use to describe how I’m feeling just now,” Murray said after the match (via ABC News). “You’re in a little bit of disbelief, because when I have been in that position many times before and not won, you do think: Is it ever going to happen?”