Andy Murray admitted to feeling dazed and confused as he struggled to comprehend the enormity of his Wimbledon victory.
The British number one produced a stubborn display that underlined his mental toughness and increasing self-belief to beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
He came out to serve for the title as a far from reserved roar, an unleashing of national frustration after so many years, reverberated around the hallowed Centre Court.
Murray quickly established three Championship points and then squandered them all.
He then saved three break points before producing a brilliant winner to set up another chance, which he finally took to end Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles winner.
The British number one now holds the Olympic, US Open and Wimbledon titles - and, at just 26, is still at the peak of his powers meaning there is surely more to come.
"Winning Wimbledon is the pinnacle of tennis. Those last few points were the hardest of my life and I worked so hard in that last game," said Murray.
"I just can't get my head around it, I can't quite believe it.
"It's all a bit of a blur, from 4-2 down in the third set to holding the trophy, I don't know what to say.
"Mentally, that last game was the toughest game I will play in my entire career. I can't really believe that it's happened. This one will take a while to sink in."
Murray paid special tribute to coach Ivan Lendl, himself a two-time beaten finalist at Wimbledon, who has perhaps added a decisive missing ingredient to the world number two's entourage since his appointment early last year.
"He told me he was proud of me, which coming from him means a lot," added Murray.
"He doesn't smile too much in public but away from the cameras and crowds he is a very different character.
"He'd have loved to win here but this was the next best thing for him, he's stuck by me through some tough losses, he's been very patient and I'm happy I managed to do it for him.
"Ivan has made me learn more from my losses. He is extremely honest with me, if I work hard then he is happy. If I don't, he's disappointed and will tell me.
"He's got my mentality slightly different heading into these big matches."
Murray also paid tribute to the crowd - normally the most reserved on the Grand Slam circuit - who waved their flags and raised the roof with the sort of chanting you normally only find at the Davis Cup.
"It was a different atmosphere to the past, it was incredibly loud," he said.
"It does make a difference and it really helps when the crowd is like that. It's especially good in a tough matches, when it's extremely hot and there are long, brutal rallies. It helps get you through."
Murray admits to feeling strange that his entire career has been contrasted with a player, Fred Perry, who died when he was just seven years old.
And he hopes that he won't be held up as a similar example for those that will surely be inspired by his Wimbledon victory.
"It's an incredibly difficult tournament to win, so it's possible it could take a long time but I would hope not that long," said Murray.
"I think with the amount of money that is invested in the sport in this country, then it shouldn't take 70 odd years."
© Sportsbeat 2013