Wolverhampton's Henry Searle wins Wimbledon Boys' final - Britain's first in 61 years
The 61-year wait for a new British Boys' Wimbledon champion is over as Henry Searle won.
The Wolverhampton 'wonder kid' won today's match in straight sets making him the first British boy to win the boys' title since 1962.
The unseeded 17-year-old beat Russia's Yaroslav Demin 6-4 6-4 and was cheered on by supporters wearing 'Henry's Barmy Army' T-shirts.
Outside Court One after the match, Searle’s supporters huddled together and chanted: “Champion” before following up with: “We are Wolves” and: “Henry Searle’s Barmy Army”.
Searle’s brother, Oscar, was pulled into selfie after selfie with spectators who had formed a small crowd. He told a few people that he was “not Henry”, but posed for pictures anyway.
Searle’s mother, Emma, told BBC Sport she was “hugely proud” of him.
They have been amazing
"They don't usually travel this much, I think I've cost them a fortune this week", jokes Henry speaking to ITV News after his win.
"It's really special to have a group of people who're that supportive and they've been amazing from the start of the week to the end of the week", he adds.
Amber Fellows, 37, was Searle’s first coach and said: “It’s very surreal watching him lift the trophy, very emotional.”
Marc Hughes, 57, general manager of Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, which Searle joined aged two-and-a-half, was also at Wimbledon to watch the big game.
“We’re over the moon with how he’s done today", he said. “We’re proud of the fact he’s represented the club with his competitiveness, his behaviour and his amazing performance.”
He has got a superb future ahead of him
For those who couldn't make it to Wimbledon, Searle's club in Wolverhampton hosted a “rammed” screening of his match.
"I think he will cope with it admirably, I really do, he's a well gounded individual and he'll thrive on it and he'll use it", said his old coach Steve Chilvers. "It will encourage him to go on to greater things - and he has got a superb future ahead of him".