Tonight:
5°c
March of Andy Murray's tartan army
Jack Lefley and Shekhar Bhatia24 Jun 2008
The Murray Maniacs descended on Wimbledon today hoping to cheer their Scottish hero to victory.
Andy Murray went into his first round match against Frenchman Fabrice Santoro this afternoon and said he was determined to become the first Briton to win the tournament since 1936.
The fans who gathered on the rechristened "Murray Mound" to watch the 12th seed were treated to more glorious sunshine as the temperature climbed to 23C with only a slight chance of showers later in the day.
The Scot, who has never progressed past Wimbledon's first week was expected to beat the unfancied Frenchman, who is ranked 40 places below him.
"My goal is to try and win the tournament," Murray said. "I believe I can achieve my goal."
He added he was feeling fit, well and enjoying living in his own home for the first time during a tournament.
Murray has shouldered the weight of British tennis expectations since the retirement of Tim Henman but has been criticised for his "miserable" demeanour.
His fans were out in force hoping to replace "Henmania" with " Andymonium". An All England Club spokesman said if attendance continued at the same level, records could be broken.
He said: "If the sun keeps on shining and the crowds keep on coming at this rate we could see a record attendance this year." Yesterday, 39,035 fans enjoyed a full day of glorious June weather in SW19, up more than 6,000 on the first day last year.
Friends Ollie Bellwood, Andy Lulham, Annabel De Rougemont and Amy Trodd, decked themselves out in tartan and made their own t-shirts to support the world number 11. Mr Bellwood, 27, a betting company worker from Newcastle, said: "We are big fans of British tennis in general and Andy Murray in particular. He's a breath of fresh air because he has attitude. I don't care if he's moody as long as he gets the job done.
Mr Lulham, 26, said: " He's still young and has a great career ahead of him. We just wanted to come down and support the best British player. But if he loses he's Scottish obviously."
Ms De Rougemont, 23, added: "I have wanted to come here and see him play for a long time.He's our only real hope of winning anything but he needs to put on a bit more of a show."
Amy Trodd, 23, said: "It's my first time at Wimbledon but I really wanted to come with all my friends and see Andy play."
Murray missed last year's tournament with a wrist injury, and will want to improve on his last showing at the 2006 tournament, when he went out in the fourth round.
Teresa Scot had camped out in Wimbledon Park for two nights with her children Luke, 17, and 15-year-old Grace after catching the train south from their home in Edinburgh.
They were overjoyed at getting Centre Court tickets and the chance to watch their idol play.
Ms Scot, 44, said: "He's Scottish like us but we support him because of the way he plays. He's got so much talent.
Grace said: "I was so disappointed when he pulled out of Queen's with a sprained thumb. He should have battled through because I really wanted to see him win." Luke added: "He really needs to put a string of wins together to silence all his doubters."
Students Holly Sander, Elli Price and Melanie Rendall travelled together from Watford in the hope of seeing a Murray victory. Holly, 21, said: "He's the only hope we've got so I think everyone should come out and support him.
