ANDY MURRAY has vowed to use the Wimbledon title as motivation to try to add to his haul of Grand Slam trophies.

The 26-year-old followed up last summer’s US Open triumph by ending Britain’s 77- year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion on Sunday.

The weather was scorching and the atmosphere even hotter on Centre Court as Murray defeated world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4.

Having battled so hard to win a first grand slam title, Murray has now achieved two of his biggest goals in less than 12 months as well as winning Olympic gold.

The Scot returned to Wimbledon yesterday morning bleary-eyed after Sunday night’s Champions’ Dinner and celebrated with his team last night before heading off on holiday for a few days.

But Murray is confident winning the most prestigious trophy in tennis will make him more not less hungry, with the defence of his US Open title the next big thing on the agenda.

He said: ‘‘I hope I don’t lose hunger. I should be able to use this for motivation.

‘‘I know what it’s like losing in a Wimbledon final and I know what it’s like winning one, and it’s a lot better winning.

“The hard work is worth it.

‘‘I just need to make sure I don’t get sidetracked by anything after the next few days.

“Yes, enjoy it and celebrate, then go away, rest up and get ready for the US Open.

‘‘I’ve never had to defend a grand slam before, that will be a new experience for me, and I look forward to that.’’ Murray’s targets also include taking Djokovic’s world number one spot, but he remains almost 3,000 points behind.

Given Murray cannot gain any points at the US Open, it will be difficult for the Scot to reach the top this year.

He is slightly bemused he is not closer, saying: ‘‘It’s a tough one for me because right now I’ve won two slams and been in the final of a third one and I hold the Olympic gold, and I’m nowhere near being number one.

‘‘I don’t know exactly why that is. Maybe I need to be more consistent in the other events.

‘‘Missing the French Open obviously didn’t help that but I would rather not get to number one and win more grand slams than never win another grand slam and get to number one.’’ Murray’s triumph should present a golden opportunity to grow tennis in this country, but the chances of another British man following in his footsteps any time soon appear remote.

The Scot tries to stay away from the annual hoopla around the championships but hopes Wimbledon will now be seen as a British sporting triumph rather than a fortnight of soulsearching.

He said: ‘‘I know how long it’s been, there’s been a lot of close calls.

‘‘Tim [Henman] obviously got close a few times, I’d got close a few times, so to have finally done it, I think it’ll be nice that as a nation we don’t have to look at Wimbledon as a negative, it can be viewed as a positive, and I just hope it’s not another 70-odd years.’’ There has already been talk about Murray being awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours, with Prime Minister David Cameron, who was in the Royal Box for the final, saying: ‘‘I can’t think of anyone who deserves one more.’’ Murray was awarded an OBE following his Olympic and US Open triumphs, and is not sure he deserves so big an upgrade just yet.

He said: ‘‘It’s a nice thing to have or be offered. I think just because everyone’s waited for such a long time for this, that’s probably why it will be suggested but I don’t know if it merits that.’’ Murray only slept for around an hour on Sunday night, scared of going to sleep in case it all turned out to be a dream.

Last year the Scot dreamt he had won Wimbledon after losing to Roger Federer, the crushing disappointment hitting him again when he realised it was not true.