Murray mania in Dunblane

Olympic and US Open tennis champion Andy Murray was given a hero's welcome in Dunblane on Sunday.

Crowds packed into the bunting-lined streets of his home town, near Stirling, waving Scottish flags and homemade placards.

Thousands chanted his name and cheered after waiting for hours to see the tennis ace and were rewarded for their patience, with Murray signing many autographs as he slowly walked along through the town.

The 25-year-old is celebrating a golden summer of success with locals just days after returning to the UK following his five set win over Novak Djokovic in the US Open.

"The other day I woke up after sleeping on the sofa and I was questioning whether it [the US Open win] actually happened. It was when I woke up and realised I had actually won the US Open that it all started to sink in."
Andy Murray Quotes of the week

That victory came weeks after he beat Roger Federer to take the Olympic men's title at the London 2012 Games.

"It's overwhelming and I've never had anything like that before," Murray told Sky Sports News, after around 15,000 people came to celebrate his return.

"I think it [the US Open win] will sink in over the next couple of days. It's been a bit of a whirlwind since the match with all the stuff the day after and travelling back, then all the stuff today with so many people.

Overwhelming

"It's been a bit overwhelming and I think it will take a few days.

"I dreamt three days after Wimbledon that I had won Wimbledon and I woke up and was absolutely gutted that I hadn't.

"The other day I woke up after sleeping on the sofa and I was questioning whether it [the US Open win] actually happened.

"It was when I woke up and realised I had actually won the US Open that it all started to sink in."

Murray's walkabout in the town overran by an hour after he decided against travelling on the bus with his family and friends and instead spent time signing autographs and meeting his fans.

Murray's mother Judy, who travelled on the bus decorated by children from Dunblane Primary school, said: "I'm absolutely amazed. I thought it was going to be mobbed but I didn't realise it was going to be as mobbed as this.

"It's wonderful for Andy to come back and share the success of the summer with people of the town.

"Coming back to your roots and the town you grew up, he always gets such amazing support whenever he plays but particularly when he's in a final. It's amazing."

Murray did not attend Friday's official victory parade for Scotland's Olympians and Paralympians in Glasgow, having been advised to take a couple of days of complete rest at home after playing continuously for four months.