PM and Rooney to cheer on Murray

Andy Murray is in the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row

7 July 2013

Political heavyweights, sporting stars and celebrities are set to watch Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final from the Royal Box on Centre Court.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband are due to be joined in the plush seating area by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond for the men's singles title match between Murray and world number one Novak Djokovic, scheduled to begin at 2pm. The president of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic, was due at Wimbledon to support Djokovic.

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney was also set to take a seat in the box, with International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge, former British number one Greg Rusedski and US Open golf champion Justin Rose also invited.

Victoria Beckham and her guest Tana Ramsay - wife of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay - were also due to arrive, with Scottish actor Gerard Butler and US movie star Bradley Cooper also in attendance.

Thousands of spectators descended on the All England Club to watch Murray's second successive shot at Wimbledon glory, braving scorching temperatures to catch a glimpse of the action. The queue for the ground was full by 7am, with some in it having camped since Friday to get a ticket just to watch on the big screen inside the grounds next to 'Henman Hill'.

Mr Cameron has wished Murray luck, saying: "I think the whole country has been incredibly impressed, not just with his skill but with his courage and his mental courage in coming through to the final yet again. The whole country is right behind you Andy - go for it."

The Scot's tense semi-final tie with Poland's Jerzy Janowicz on Friday was the most-watched television moment of the year so far, according to the BBC, with a peak audience of 13.2 million people tuning in, and this afternoon's clash was expected to draw yet more viewers.

Murray has paid tribute to the support he has had at his home grand slam.

Writing on his BBC blog, the Scot said: "The support I've had for the last few years at Wimbledon has been great and I hope to do everyone proud...."

He added: "I need to play a very solid match from start to finish and fight for every single point, because Novak doesn't give you too many cheap games or mistakes. I just have to be stubborn and not give too much away."