Champion relishes first full day on top of the world

It came little more than two hours after David Cameron had suggested he should be known as Sir Andy Murray for his achievement.

The Prime Minister had said that, while he did not decide such things, he "cannot think of anyone who deserves one more".

However, the world number two player, who has also won the US Open and Olympic gold over the past 11 months, seemed unconvinced.

Asked about the prospect of receiving a gong from The Queen, he said: "It is a nice thing to have or be offered, but I don't know if it merits it."

Later, the two men came face-to-face when the Wimbledon champion was celebrated at a reception at Downing Street.

Inside, applause rang out from the assembled staff and waiting guests, made up of politicians from across the spectrum.

Murray was also hailed a hero on the terrace at the rear of Downing Street by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Labour leader Ed Miliband and SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, as well as Mr Cameron's children, who asked for his autograph.

The Dunblane-born superstar chatted and mingled, sipping water in the baking afternoon heat after a heavy night partying – with the intention to enjoy a second night's celebrations with the backroom team behind his win.

He suffered a rather awkward moment as he arrived in Downing Street. He turned up in shiny new shoes and a dapper navy suit which was so new that it had the stitching still attached in places, and it became clear there was no-one there to greet him.

Looking well-rested and happy, despite having had just one hour of sleep as he celebrated his historic win, Mr Murray was left shuffling for a few minutes on the doorstep to the Prime Minister's residence.

Obligingly he smiled for the assembled cameras and the Whitehall workers who had left their offices and managed to find a side gate with a view into Downing Street. But he looked relieved when David Cameron finally bounded out to shake his hand.

The Conservative leader deflected calls to say which of them would win in a tennis match, saying "we are not going to have a game, don't worry."

From the relative quiet of the street there was an almighty roar as they walked into Number 10 to the cheers from Downing Street staff who had gathered to applaud the champion.

Leaving after more than a hour he gave another wave to the waiting photographers.

Mr Robertson said that he was absolutely delighted to have been able to congratulate the sportsman in person on his tremendous victory.

Meanwhile, LibDem leader Mr Clegg also paid tribute to the man he described as a true champion who had made tennis history.

For his part Mr Cameron, who watched Sunday's final from a prime seat in the Wimbledon Royal Box, also praised Murray and said he had "lifted the spirits of the whole country".

The Prime Minister clearly made an impression on Andy's mother Judy Murray.

Asked how Mr Cameron was as she too left yesterday afternoon's reception in Downing Street , she replied "gorgeous".

Meanwhile, Murray said his close friend's cancer fight changed his perspective in the run-up to Wimbledon.

Ross Hutchins, his Davis Cup team-mate, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma last year.

Hutchins, who was a regular fixture in the players' box at the All England Club during the tournament, finished six months of chemotherapy last month and is hoping to be given the all-clear before he resumes training.

Murray has said he felt huge pressure to win Wimbledon but revealed that Hutchins's illness had influenced his thinking.

He said: "He's extremely young to have something like that happening. It's shocking. When he asks you how you're feeling – like after my semi-finals or the final in Australia at the beginning of the year – you think twice because it's not that bad in comparison."