Andy Murray's Wimbledon success spurs smashing tennis boom

And it seems his inspirational win has had the desired effect – with tennis courts in the region seeing a surge in demand.

Last year Britain hosted the Olympic Games under the slogan 'Inspire A Generation' and 26-year-old Murray, an Olympic Champion himself, is single-handedly making tennis the coolest hobby of them all, with fans saying they have been inspired to take to the courts riding on a wave of 'Murray Mania'.

In Wolverhampton residents can usually be confident of finding a court free at West Park but since Murray's win players of all ages have been turning up hoping to emulate his skills.

Aaron Poole, 16, of Torton Avenue, Wolverhampton and Harry Fearnehaugh, also 16, of Avondale Road, Wolverhampton were out with their rackets hours after Britain celebrated its first British male Wimbledon champion for 77 years.

Aaron said: "I used to play a lot more years ago. but after seeing Andy Murray win I thought: 'why don't we try?'

His friend Harry added: "I play a lot. I went to Wimbledon the day before and saw the women's finals and it's inspiring stuff."

Philip Collins, 24 of Wistwood Avenue, Bushbury, is another that has been inspired to take to the courts at West Park since the win.

He said: "Andy Murray was brilliant. He came so close so many times before but to come back after last year's disappointment and finally win it and after Britain has gone 77 years without a male winner. It is brilliant."

It's not just Wolverhampton where tennis has become the trend – with the buzz descending from SW19 to WS2 in Walsall.

Manpreet Dhaliwal, of Oldbury, and Wayne Caddick, of Walsall, both watched Murray's victory at Wimbledon and have been practising their skills at Pleck Park this week.

Mr Dhaliwal, aged 25, said: "It was a good match between Murray and Djokovic.

"At the start there were brutal rallies and the defence was amazing by both players. It was down to who was best on the day.

"I think it will inspire more people to get into tennis, especially the younger ones.

"In tennis you are constantly running so it helps you keep fit. I started playing tennis about six years ago. I started watching tennis and became interested in it. I mainly play in the summertime."

Father-of-one Mr Caddick, aged 23, of Gower Street, Pleck, added: "Now there is a decent British player I think it will encourage a lot more people to take up tennis.

"It would help if there were more tennis courts around, particularly ones that are free. Some of them need to be better maintained.

"It was a disappointing match for Djokovic but Murray was the better player on the day."

Tennis clubs from around the area also expressed their delight at the British Number One's crowning glory. Former professional and Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club coach Les Davies said the victory should not come as a surprise.

The 47-year-old former England senior international said: "He is ranked second in the world and has won the US open and the Olympic gold medal so it was coming. I think we will see him and Djokovic battle it out for many years to come.

"But it is great for British tennis.

"Murray is known by literally every school child across the country already, which in my experience was not the case with Tim Henman.

"He has come through the ranks and it shows British tennis is healthy. It was a brilliant match and to beat the world's best player in straight sets is really impressive."

Mark Power, junior secretary at Albert Lawn Tennis Club in Tettenhall said Murray had helped boost the number of adult and junior players. He said: "It is a great achievement and is so far a once in a lifetime experience for the vast majority of people – but we hope it won't be from now on.

"We have seen membership in both junior and adult players rise over the past few years and this will only hope to inspire more to take up the sport.

"It shows the youngsters what can be achieved."