Wimbledon 2013: Andy Murray reveals contact with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham, but plays down talk of a knighthood

The new Wimbledon champion had little sleep last night but is well aware of what he's achieved

Andy Murray poses with the 2013 Wimbledon trophy at the All England Club in Wimbledon, a day after he won the men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic. Murray said he is determined to push on from his stunning Wimbledon win and add further Grand S (ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images)

Andy Murray has played down talk of receiving a knighthood following his success at Wimbledon.

It will be a matter of when rather than if he will become Sir Andy, particularly after Prime Minister David Cameron said the Scot should receive the honour.

Murray's 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory over Novak Djokovic brought an end Fred Perry's 77-year reign as the last British winner of the men's singles title.

Yet Murray said today: "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."

While there were many famous faces in attendance to watch the historic match on Centre Court, there were two particularly notable fans of Murray who were not in SW19. Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former England captain David Beckham have both become close with Murray during his rise through the game. Murray today explained why they couldn't attend, but revealed they had been in contact.

"I got a message from him (Ferguson) yesterday and this morning," said Murray.

"He's going on a cruise up the coast of Scotland so he wasn't able to come. He said to me that he always wanted to do that. Ten days he said it takes and he'd never done it in his life because he never took 10 days off from his work.

"It's an unbelievable work ethic for such a long period of time. Spending 15 minutes with him, he's a really impressive guy and you can learn a lot from him."

Beckham was also unable to attend the final, although his wife Victoria sat in the Royal Box.

"I messaged him back and forth over the past 10 days or so," said Murray. "He was getting back from Singapore and he called me this morning when I was on the way here just to say well done, congrats and enjoy it."

While Murray revealed he had only slept for an hour last night, he already has his focus on his next targets which will include retaining his US Open title and then vying Djokovic for the world number one spot.

"It's tough," Murray said when asked if knocking Djokovic off his perch was a priority.

"Right now I hold two slams, the Olympic gold and the final of another slam and I'm still nowhere near number one in the world. The goal for me is to try and win the grand slams, win those tournaments and not worry too much about the ranking."

Many are predicting that the battle between Murray and Djokovic will become the new great rivalry in the game. The pair have known each other since they were teenagers and Murray admits that any friendship between them will be difficult to entertain if those predictions become true.

"I've known him since I was 12 and when we finish playing I'm sure we'll get on really well with each other but right now it's hard to be best of friends because these matches are so tough physically and mentally," Murray said.

"The matches we play are brutal and so physically challenging. It's nice we've know each other since we were kids and our parents have seen us kind of grow up together but it's hard playing against him."

Murray believes that winning Wimbledon can act as a springboard to more success.

"I know what it feels like to lose in finals, in a Wimbledon final, but now I know what it feels like to win and that's certainly a lot better and it's worth putting in the hard work for," Murray told the press at the All England Club.

"I didn't know last year that it was worth it because I had never won a grand slam before until the US Open last year.

"After that you realise the hours you put in training, preparing and working on the practise court, it's all worth it.

"So I hope this is a springboard for me and I will use it for my advantage."

In his immediate post-match interview on Centre Court, Murray admitted he couldn't even remember the point that had brought him the Wimbledon title, and the 26-year-old revealed he had to watch it again to get it to sink in.

"The last game was something that stands out but I had to watch it a few times to remember what actually happened because when I came off the court I had no recollection of that game," he said.

"I had no recollection of the last few points in it at all. It was just a crazy way to finish the game and I didn't think it would have happened for me any other way.

"For everyone watching it needed to be like that to make it more special."

What Murray did know was that yesterday's victory was the best moment of his career.

"I think it's number one, it's different from the Olympics," he said. "I think winning Olympic gold within sport is a huge thing but winning Wimbledon within tennis is the pinnacle and I don't think I will ever top that."

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