Shops in Dunblane have put up messages of support for Murray in their windows Murray mania is sweeping the UK as tennis star Andy Murray prepares to take on Serbian rival Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Scot has been sent good luck messages by Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond.
His home town of Dunblane has been festooned with messages of support.
Murray is hoping to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam title since Fred Perry in 1936.
This will be his third attempt to win a Grand Slam event.
“Now’s the day and now’s the hour. The whole of Scotland is behind you, and will be cheering you on from near and far for a famous victory”
Alex Salmond First Minister
He lost in two previous finals – the 2008 US Open and the 2010 Australian Open.
In a message to Murray, Mr Cameron wished him the “very best of luck” in his meeting with Djokovic.
He said: “You have played incredibly well to reach the final for the second year running, and everyone back at home is very proud of you. We’ll all be cheering you on.”
Mr Cameron – a keen tennis player himself – also joked that Murray had been helped by their practise session when he visited Downing Street last November.
“I hope the volley drills we did in No 10 last year will come in useful,” he added.
Mr Salmond also sent Murray a good luck message.
“Now’s the day and now’s the hour,” he said. “The whole of Scotland is behind you, and will be cheering you on from near and far for a famous victory.”
Murray’s grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, are facing a nervous wait in his home town.
Mr Erskine said: “The first time Andy got to a final we had no idea what to expect, but now we realise just how massive it is.
Murray’s grandparents Roy and Shirley Erskine are willing him on to tennis glory “We still haven’t decided where we will watch the game. Last year we went away to watch it with friends a few miles away.
“I think we want to be on our own, somewhere quiet so we can scream and shriek out loud at the TV.”
Murray secured his spot in the final after beating Spaniard David Ferrer in what he called an “unbelievably tough” test.
Millions are expected to watch the match on TV after 6.3 million people tuned in to last year’s Australian Open to watch Murray lose to Roger Federer.
Back in Dunblane, preparations are under way for fans to cheer him on.
Shops throughout the town are carrying good luck messages in their windows, willing him on to tennis glory.
Tom McLean, who runs the Dunblane Hotel, said it would be a huge day, with the pub being granted a licence to open at 0800 GMT.
He said: “We’re expecting a really good turnout.”
The sport’s governing body in Scotland, Tennis Scotland, is also hosting an event for the public to support Murray.
Large screens will show the game at the National Tennis Centre at the University of Stirling.
A spokesman said: “Tennis and non-tennis fans are all behind Andy and all are welcome to come and cheer him on in what will be an extremely difficult game.
“Both players know each other’s game inside out but Andy is totally motivated to win and hopefully he will.”
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