Time to celebrate! Andy Murray finally wins a grand slam event - and Britain's first in 76 years - but panics when he can't find £2,500 watch from his sponsors before he lifts the U.S. Open trophy

• Scot became first British player to win a Grand Slam men's singles title for 76 years by beating Novak Djokovic
• Immediately after the five-set victory, he anxiously looked for his Rado watch
• Murray signed a seven-figure sponsorship deal with Rado earlier this year
• Last male Brit to win was Fred Perry, who won same event in 1936
• Murray said he prepared last night by playing 'a bit of Scrabble' and having 'an early night'
• David Cameron hails triumph as a 'truly great victory'

He had just become the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles tennis title for 76 years, having battled for almost five hours to defeat one of the world's great players.
But when Andy Murray made his way towards his family, friends and supporters after clinching victory in the US Open final, he wasn't looking for a hug. He was looking for his watch.
On-court microphones caught the British number one saying 'I don't have it, I don't have it' as he pointed at his wrist after the gruelling match.
Limping in pain, he called out from the court to his girlfriend Kim Sears, who was wearing an expensive-looking timepiece herself: 'Have you got my watch? I don't have my watch.'
Murray's anxiety may have had something to do with the fact that, only three months ago, he was announced as an ambassador for watchmakers Rado - a sponsorship deal reportedly worth a seven-figure sum.
Luckily for the tennis star, the watch - a Rado D-Star Automatic Chronograph worth £2,580 - was found in time for him to wear it as he received the trophy.
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Triumphant: Andy Murray, wearing his watch, holds the U.S. Open trophy aloft after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final match in New York

Kiss of joy: Murray plants a smacker on the U.S. Open trophy during the presentation ceremony at Flushing Meadows

Moment of glory: Murray didn't wear his watch during the match, and he struggled to find it after sealing victory

Murray beat the defending champion Novak Djokovic to crown a golden summer of sport for Britain.
After winning gold at the London Olympics, the 25-year-old Scot beat Djokovic, from Serbia, in five thrilling sets.

Where is it? Andy Murray asks his family, friends and coaches where his £2,580 watch has gone

Murray won the first set 7-6 on a tie break before he added the second 7-5. But then Djokovic roared back to win the third 2-6 and the fourth 3-6. Murray then recovered to win the final set 6-2.
Murray, who is seven days older than his opponent, becomes the first male British Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry won the same event at Forest Hills in 1936.
He and Miss Sears celebrated his victory by going to the Hakkasan restaurant in New York.
But while Miss Sears appeared to have a glass of bubbly, Murray seemed to be on soft drinks.
The tennis season is not over, and he is expected to be among a host of stars competing in the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.
Speaking after the match, Murray was full of relief. Despite his Olympics triumph in London last month, the boy from Dunblane was the underdog heading into the match, having lost in four Grand Slam tournament finals.
'Right now, there's a lot of relief and I'm still buzzing a bit from the match - the atmosphere out there was unbelievable,' he told Sky Sports 1.
'It would have been a tough one to lose so I'm so, so happy I managed to pull though in the end.
'The body's hurting a bit but it was worth it.'
The windy conditions helped Murray in the early stages but Djokovic fought back once it had started to die down. However, the Scot revealed he took a toilet break before the start of the decider to regain his composure.
'The wind calmed down towards the end of the second set and I had to change the way I was playing a bit because he was then dictating more of the points and he started going for it a bit more.
'I was still playing the same way as when it was windy and I was kind of guiding the ball a little bit and was only reaching the middle of the court.
'At the beginning of the fifth set I went to the toilet and I said to myself: "For one set, just give it everything you've got".
'I got lucky in the first game with a net on the break point but I settled down after that.'

Feels good: Murray covers his face in disbelief as the magnitude of his achievement starts to sink in at the Arthur Ashe Stadium

Celebration: Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears (left), mother Judy (right) and agent (centre) hug each other after he wins the final point

Team Murray: Girlfriend Kim Sears, mother Judy and coach Ivan Lendl - who later even broke into a smile - applaud Andy's victory

Professional: Andy Murray appeared to be staying on soft drinks as he and girlfriend Kim Sears celebrated his victory with a meal at New York's Hakkasan restaurant

Britain's Andy Murray returns a shot to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the U.S. Open final

Andy Murray groans after losing a key point in the U.S. Open final at Flushing Meadows

Andy Murray roars after winning a point against Serbia's Novak Djokovic

DUNBLANE'S HERO: MURRAY'S HOME TOWN UP LATE TO SEE WIN

Supporters in Andy Murray's home town declared him 'Dunblane's hero' today after he claimed his first Grand Slam title.

At the Dunblane Hotel in the tennis ace's home town, near Stirling, posters of the 25-year-old were hung on the walls and champagne was on ice ready for his victory.

A crowd of around 80 fans packed into the bar to watch the nail-biting five-hour game into the small hours of this morning, before erupting into a mass celebration and chanting 'There's only one Andy Murray'.

The supporters were with Murray all the way, celebrating and commiserating every point won and lost.

The bar kept its doors open late to allow the patrons to see the end of the game, and dished out popcorn and hot dogs.

Gavin Noland, 63, said: 'Andy is Dunblane's hero, not just Dunblane, the whole of Scotland and the rest of Britain.'

Dave Whitton, 62, said: 'I'm just so happy for Andy - no tears this time, just complete joy and happiness, which is not only just for him but for the people of Dunblane and the whole of Scotland.'

Referring to the Dunblane massacre in 1996, when gunman Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 primary school children and their teacher, Mr Whitton said: 'It's a town where, as you'll probably know, things have happened.

'But this brings a moment of joy and happiness instead of other things that have happened.

'We share in his happiness today emotionally.'

His early considerable lead, and a chance at history, slipping away, Murray dug deep for stamina and mental strength in an effort to outlast his Serbian rival.
'Novak is so, so strong. He fights until the end in every single match,' Murray said. 'I don't know how I managed to come through in the end.'
Murray already showed he could come up big by winning the gold medal in front of a home crowd at the London Olympics last month.
But this was different. This was a Grand Slam tournament, the standard universally used to measure tennis greatness - and the 287th since Perry won the trophy of the US Championships, as the event was known back then.
Murray vs. Djokovic was a test of will as much as skill, lasting 4 hours, 54 minutes, tying the record for longest US Open final.
The first-set tiebreaker's 22 points set a tournament mark.
They repeatedly produced fantastic, tales-in-themselves rallies for individual points, lasting 10, 20, 30, even 55 strokes, counting the serve.
The crowd gave a standing ovation to salute one majestic, 30-stroke point in the fourth set that ended with Murray's forehand winner as Djokovic fell to the court, slamming on his left side.
By the end, Djokovic - who had won eight consecutive five-set matches, including in the semifinals (against Murray) and final (against Rafael Nadal) at the Australian Open in January - was the one looking fragile, trying to catch breathers and doing deep knee bends at the baseline to stretch his aching groin muscles.
After getting broken to trail 5-2 in the fifth, Djokovic had his legs massaged by a trainer.
'I really tried my best,' Djokovic said.
No one had thrown away a two-set lead in the US Open title match since 1949, and Murray was determined not to claim that distinction.
When Djokovic sent a forehand return long on the final point, Murray crouched and covered his mouth with both hands, as though even he could not believe this moment had actually arrived.
The 25-year-old Scot removed his trainers, grimacing with each step as he gingerly stepped across the court.
Djokovic came around to offer congratulations and a warm embrace, while 'Chariots of Fire' blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers.
Djokovic hailed Murray for lifting his maiden grand slam. The world number two was favourite to add to his collection of five major triumphs but admitted he was second best in an 'enjoyable' match.
'It wasn't to be but I want to congratulate Andy for his first Grand Slam. He absolutely deserves it,' Djokovic said.
'His team, this is your success as well.'
Even in the early hours of this morning, praise for Andy Murray's historic achievement poured in thick and fast.
Mark Petchey, his former coach, who commentated on the game for Sky, said: 'I'm more thrilled he's won it like this. It shows he's unique and a bit special.
'It speaks volumes for Andy.
'It's so special, I had this thought at match point, I was thinking of when I once played horseshoes with him at his house.

'You knew he had a touch of genius about him and I am incredibly proud. He had so much courage. We need to make the point that he elevated his game and he took it to Novak.'

Residents of Dunblane watch local boy Andy Murray play at Dunblane Hotel in Scotland

Novak Djokovic roars after winning the third set to haul himself back into the game

Former British number one Greg Rusedski, who lost in the US Open final in 1997, told Sky Sports 1: 'That was unbelievable. If you look back, Fred Perry won his last major on September 10, and Andy Murray has won it on September 10.

PM CONGRATULATES MURRAY AFTER 'TRULY GREAT VICTORY'

David Cameron hailed Murray’s triumph as a 'truly great victory' that continued Britain's golden summer of sport.

The Prime Minister took to micro-blogging site Twitter to lead congratulations over the Scottish tennis player’s historic win.

He tweeted: 'Delighted Andy Murray is continuing a golden summer of sport by winning the US Open. A truly great victory.'

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond added: 'Congratulations to Andy Murray on what was a fantastic performance.

'This is another brilliant win over Novak Djokovic and continues an amazing year for Andy.

'Now Olympic and US Open champion, Andy truly is a Scottish sporting legend and I’m certain that more grand slam titles will follow.'

'At the end of the day he found a way to get it done and found a way to control his emotions. He can thank Ivan Lendl [his coach] for that. You have to give him so much credit for what he`s done, to keep believing in what he`s done.

'It shows you what a champion he is and, having won this, he can go on to win many majors and maybe end the year as the British number one.'

Former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd told BBC Five Live: 'What a performance, that was just epic, a just dazzling performance from Murray. Mentally to come back from those positions - losing a two sets to love lead - how on earth did he do it?'

Reactions to Murray's win also came in on Twitter. Former tennis star Andre Agassi tweeted: 'Well deserved...Congratulations to the £USOPEN Champion Andy Murray!!!', while world golf number one Rory McIlroy said: 'Massive congrats Andy Murray!!!! The first of many and well worth the wait!'

Comedian Jimmy Carr quipped: 'Andy Murray has just made me cry. The man is a God. I'm so happy,' while Scottish writer Irvine Welsh had some patriotic praise for his countryman: 'God bless @andy-murray, his friends, family, and the good people of Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Big love and big thanks from us all x.'

Golfer Luke Donald summed up the feeling, saying: 'Great tennis Andy Murray, thoroughly deserved, another glorious moment in British sport this year.'
Comedian David Walliams joked on Twitter that the presence of James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery in the crowd had helped Murray win the title.
He tweeted: 'Andy Murray not only won his first Grand Slam, he had Sir Sean Connery cheering him on. #jamesbondhelpedAndy win'.
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey, who was among the crowd watching the final, tweeted: 'Congratulations @Andy_Murray on your well deserved, brilliant win at US Open. I cheer your victory & everyone back home is so happy for you!'
Murray was one of only two men in the professional era, which began in 1968, to have lost his first four Grand Slam finals - against Djokovic in the 2011 Australian Open, and against Roger Federer at the 2008 U.S. Open, 2010 Australian Open and 2012 Wimbledon.
Djokovic, in contrast, was bidding for his sixth major trophy, fifth in the past two seasons. He had won 27 Grand Slam hard-court matches in a row.
Murray and Djokovic were born a week apart in May 1987, and they've known, and competed against, each other since they were about 11.

Fellow Scots Sir Sean Connery and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson were there to cheer Murray on with a host of Hollywood stars

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reaches up for a return to Britain's Andy Murray

Before Saturday's semifinals in New York, they shared a computer and sat together to watch online as Scotland and Serbia played to a 0-0 draw in a qualifying match for soccer's World Cup.
It was windy at the start yesterday, gusting above 25 mph, and Murray dealt with it much better.
Djokovic admitted after his semifinal that he was bothered by heavy wind while falling behind 5-2 in the first set on Saturday; that's when play was suspended until the next day, the reason the tournament finished on a Monday instead of Sunday for the fifth consecutive year.

Praise from the PM: David Cameron hailed Andy Murray's triumph as a 'truly great victory'

Licence to thrill: Comedian David Walliams joked on Twitter that support from James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery had helped Murray win the title

Cheer: Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey, who was among the crowd watching the match, tweeted his congratulations to Murray after the match

Murray faced similar conditions in the semifinals, too - when a changeover chair skidded onto the court as he served one point - and joked after that victory that growing up in wind-whipped Scotland helped.
Murray had plenty of noteworthy fans in the stands Monday, including a pair of Scots who crashed his news conference after that semifinal: actor Sean Connery and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
The last British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, 1977 Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade, also was present, chatting between games with actor Stanley Tucci.

The 25-year-old Scot was in America to take on Serb reigning champion Novak Djokovic in the final of the U.S. Open

Neck-and-neck: Andy Murray, right, Novak Djokovic trade blows during the final

With the air carrying balls and making them dip or dart this way and that, nearly every shot became a bit of an adventure.
Both players repeatedly needed to adjust mid-swing, contorting their bodies simply to make contact. Both let service tosses fall to the ground because the ball would move out of hitting range.
As the wind wrapped around the chair umpire's microphone, it made a loud, distracting sound that resembled thunder.
They traded nearly mirror-image breaks in the first two games, and that made sense, given how good both are at returning serve - two of the best in the game right now, maybe ever.
Djokovic crouches low, his back nearly parallel to the ground, before an opponent serves. Murray shuffles his weight from leg to leg and hops forward at the last second to cut off angles.

Kim Sears, girlfriend of Andy Murray, watches his men's final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open

Kim Sears looks to the big screen with her hands clasped together as a point is challenged

Andy Ireland and Kim Sears, the girlfriend of Andy Murray, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York

TEAM MURRAY - THE SUPPORTERS  WITH HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

JUDY MURRAY

The champion's mother and captain of Britain's Fed Cup team, Judy is a long-standing tennis coach and taught both Andy and brother Jamie as juniors.

WILLIE MURRAY

Andy's father is not as prominent as Judy, and juggles running a chain of newsagents in Scotland with following his son around the world.

KIM SEARS

Kim, pictured right, is Andy's girlfriend of seven years.
She is the daughter of former Lawn Tennis Association head of women's tennis Nigel Sears and was once described by Judy Murray as 'the best thing to happen to Andy'.

IVAN LENDL

After a long search for a permanent coach following his split from Miles Maclagan, Murray turned to eight-time grand slam winner Lendl at the start of 2012.
A cool head, Czech-born Lendl is credited with toughening Murray up and, like his player, lost his first four grand slam finals himself.

JEZ GREEN

Green is Murray's fitness coach and widely credited for turning Murray from a skinny youngster to a bulked-up athlete.

ANDY IRELAND

Physio Ireland insists Murray takes ice baths after games, meaning he can often take more than an hour to arrive at his post-match press conferences.

DANI VALLVERDU

A former singles player himself - if only ever reaching number 727 in the world - Venezuelan Vallverdu has known Murray since he was 14 and is part of his coaching team and acts as his regular hitting partner.

LOUISE IRVING AND MATT GENTRY

Between them, Irving and Gentry take care of all of Murray's PR, with Gentry acting as his main agent.

Both worked hard, the physical nature taking a toll. Djokovic's right knee was bloodied after he scraped it during a few tumbles to the court when he lost his footing, and he switched shoes late in the third set. Murray clutched his left thigh while deciding not to chase a lob.
There were 10 points of at least 10 strokes each in the first-set tiebreaker, which lasted 25 minutes. Djokovic saved each of Murray's initial five set points, the last with a 123 mph ace to make it 10-all.
But Djokovic's backhand flew long at the end of a 21-shot exchange to cede set point No. 6, and this time Murray converted, hitting a 117 mph serve that Djokovic couldn't put in the court.
Murray turned toward his guest box and bellowed, 'Come on!'
That loss to Federer in this year's Wimbledon final left Murray in tears, his voice cracking as he told the supportive Centre Court crowd, 'I'm getting closer.' He appeared to be really, really close yesterday, after seizing that epic first set and then racing to a 4-0 lead in the second.
But Djokovic is nothing if not tenacious, and he would not go quietly. Raising his level of play as Murray took a step or two backward, Djokovic broke for 4-1 and then again when Murray served for a two-set lead at 5-3.
That's when Murray made three unforced errors, truly showing some jitters, as though the prospect of such prosperity was a tad overwhelming.
When Djokovic held to 5-all, it seemed as though the second set might head to a tiebreaker, too. But with Djokovic serving while trailing 6-5, he was the one who faltered. On a 31-stroke point, Djokovic missed a forehand to make it 15-30.
Then Murray's defensive skills came into play, as he got one overhead back and forced Djokovic to hit a second, which sailed wide.
Chest heaving, Djokovic put his hands on his hips, having a hard time understanding what was happening. Two points later, Djokovic pushed an inside-out forehand wide, giving Murray that set.
Djokovic, though, knows how to fashion a comeback. He's won three times after facing a two-set hole, most recently in the French Open's fourth round this year, and most notably in the U.S. Open's semifinals against Federer last year.
After stretching for a backhand volley winner to hold at 1-1 in the third, Djokovic let out a guttural yell and pumped his fists. Across the net, Murray frowned and shook his head.
In the very next game, as Murray kept up a monologue of self-admonishment, Djokovic kept up his better-late-than-never charge. He broke for a 2-1 lead, turning on a 126 mph serve with a terrific return. Soon enough, they were headed to a fourth set.
Djokovic held onto the momentum there. He secured a break point by tapping the ball over the net with the lightest caress, then took four steps, raised his right fist and yelled. There was more punching of the air and screaming seconds later after a volley winner put Djokovic ahead 1-0.
The sun was setting, the match was approaching 3 hours, and it was apparent that Murray was now tentative and in some trouble.
Making a key tactical move, Djokovic pushed forward at nearly any opportunity, shortening points and grabbing easy volleys wherever he could. He ended up winning the point on 39 of 56 trips to the net; Murray was 16 of 24.
A critical moment came with Djokovic facing a break point that could have let Murray pull even in the fourth set. After Murray missed a forehand to make it deuce, chair umpire Jake Garner warned Djokovic about taking too much time between points.
A discussion ensued, and after winning the next point with a service winner, Djokovic sent a 'Take that!' stare in Garner's direction. In the stands, Djokovic's father stood up and glared at Garner. Djokovic held to go ahead 3-1 and eventually forced the fifth set.
Murray nosed ahead quickly, breaking for a 1-0 lead when his shot ticked off the net tape, throwing off Djokovic, who missed a backhand then smiled a wry smile of disbelief, shaking his head. Murray walked to the changeover chomping on a white towel.
It was a 2-0 lead for Murray soon thereafter, as he pounded a 131 mph service winner and then used some terrific defence to stretch a point until Djokovic missed again.
Murray screamed and pumped his arms, and the spectators, sending something special, responded with a roar. He broke again to go ahead 3-0 and was on his way.

Novak Djokovic sits in his chair during a changeover as Andy Murray goes two sets up

Actor Sean Connery awaits the start of the U.S. Open men's final

American Beauty star Kevin Spacey, left, smiles as he watches the drama unfold on court. Right, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also came to see Murray

Jack Huston (left) and British actor Andrew Garfield (right), who appeared in the movie Spider-Man, watch the action

Patrick Stewart was also in the crowd at the final to cheer on Andy Murray

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, and Britain's Andy Murray pose for a photo before the final started

Speaking before the match kicked off, Murray, who missed today's 2012 Olympics and Paralympics parade in London to compete in the event, said: 'It's been a great tournament for me, and the last few months as well.
'It would be nice to finish on a high but it will be a tough, tough match today.
'I stayed in [last night] and watched Wedding Crashers - it's one of my favourite movies - played a bit of Scrabble and had an early night.
'It feels much different to [2008, when Murray lost to Federer in the US Open final]. That final was a great experience but it passed me by quickly and I actually can't remember much about it. I'm much more prepared this time.'
Murray has now reached two finals in New York and is the only British man other than Perry to reach multiple U.S. Open finals.

The last winner: Tennis great Fred Perry was the last Brit to win a Grand Slam in 1936

STILL SOME WAY TO GO TO EQUAL FRED PERRY, BRITAIN'S GREATEST EVER TENNIS ACE

Doing it with style: Fred Perry swings for a backhand at Wimbledon in 1934

Until Andy Murray's gutsy win over Novak Djokovic in New York today, no British tennis player had won a Grand Slam title since Fred Perry in 1936.

All-time great Perry, from Stockport, Cheshire, dominated the game in his day. In his career he took 10 major titles including eight Grand Slams and two Pro Slams - winning Wimbledon three years in a row.

Perry was the first player to win all four Grand Slam titles - although not in the same year - and completed his Career Grand Slam by the age of 26.

He remains the only British player to have ever achieved this accolade, and is also the only player in history to have won Major tournaments in both tennis and table tennis.

But despite acclaim across the world, Perry was ostracised by British tennis establishment when he turned professional after completing his Wimbledon hat-trick.

The working class sports hero ended up leaving the UK for the U.S. after becoming disillusioned with the class-conscious nature of the Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain.

The son of a cotton-spinner turned Co-operative Party politician, Perry first began to play tennis on public courts near the housing estate his family moved to in Ealing, West London.

His first sporting successes came in the World Table Tennis Championships of 1928-29, where he won several medals in the single, double and team events.  In 1929 he was crowned world table tennis champion.

Along with the US, French and Australian championships, Perry won the Wimbledon men's title three times in succession between 1934 and 1936.

His final triumph was a 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 victory over the aristocratic German Baron Gottfried von Cramm which lasted less than 45 minutes.

It became the quickest final in the 20th century and the second shortest of all time.

In the Davis Cup, Perry led the Great Britain team to four consecutive victories between 1933-1936, with wins over France in 1933, the U.S. in 1934 and 1935, and Australia in 1936.

Perry competed in a total of 20 Davis Cup matches, winning 34 of his 38 rubbers in singles, and 11 out of 14 in doubles.

Because of his legendary status, Perry's shadow has long hung over British tennis. Jack Kramer, Perry's biographer and a great player himself, calls the British legend one of the six greatest players of all time.

However, Mr Kramer nonetheless accuses Perry of unwittingly screwing up men's tennis in the UK. 'The way he could hit a forehand—snap it off like a ping-pong shot—Perry was a physical freak,' Kramer said.

'Nobody else could be taught to hit a shot that way. But the kids over there copied Perry's style, and it ruined them.  Even after Perry faded out of the picture, the coaches there must have kept using him as a model.'

Perry's success attracted the adoration of the crowds at Wimbledon, with his background in sharp contrast to the privilege enjoyed by most patrons and players associated with the All England Club at that time.

One of the Thirties' leading bachelors, Perry's romances were sensationalised in the world's media.

He had a dalliances with the actresses Marlene Dietrich and Mary Lawson, and in 1935 had his first of four marriages to U.S. movie star Helen Vinson. Perry's final marriage to Barbara Riese in 1952 last 40 years, until his death in 1995.