Andy Murray Agence France-Presse/Getty Images



He'd done it. The arrival so many had predicted for him was here.

Had he imagined it this way? Growing up in Scotland, he'd daydreamed about winning a title at Wimbledon, a place that left him awestruck the first time he walked through the gates. He'd dreamed about it one month ago, on this same court, to this same rival, but that vision had unraveled, cruelly, like the others before it.

Photos: Murray Serves Up Gold

Andy Murray poses with his gold medal and the Union Jack after winning. AFP/Getty Images

This one was real. Murray had captured not the usual trophy, but a gold medal, in a London Summer Olympics, held on the most prestigious court in the game, before thousands of homeland maniacs shouting his name.

Now it was reality that felt like a dream.

If he needed confirmation there was Roger Federer, the world No. 1, winner of 17 Grand Slams, standing across the net. Federer was smiling. It had to be agony for the 30-year-old Swiss, who wanted this gold medal just as much, but Federer is a champion with a sense of history, and he understood the significance of what had happened here, at his expense.

At last. Andy.

Let's go back for a moment. Let's go back one afternoon. Murray was the most tormented player in tennis—the brilliant phenom born at the wrong time, squeezed out by a crowded elevator of champions. Federer. Rafael Nadal. Novak Djokovic. Regularly, Murray would dive into the last weekend of major tournaments, only to be brushed aside at the velvet rope.

Runner-up at Wimbledon. Runner-up at U.S. Open. Twice runner-up in Australia.

Good as he was—and he truly was gifted, it was obvious to anyone—it became a forlorn saga. Doubts crept in. What was the problem? Was Andy mentally strong enough? Murray seemed to fit the aggrieved role, barking to himself in low moments, if surrounded by the ghosts of tennis failures. He muttered. He winced. He looked so agitated.

"People think I'm stroppy," Murray wrote in his own autobiography, denying the charge. Opponents encouraged him, assured Murray he would win Slams, served more like therapists than competition.

A pairing with Ivan Lendl appeared to change Murray's mind-set. Tentative Andy was out. Lendl, so famously ruthless as a player, coached a more aggressive style along with improved consistency. Murray would not be polite and wait for his time. He would reach out and take it. Opponents noticed. Federer noticed.

"These things are obviously minor tweaks, but they make a big difference at the highest of levels," Federer said.

Wimbledon 2012 was a signal. Murray took the first set in the final against Federer, and for a moment, it appeared history was on the verge. It was premature. Federer steamrolled back, but in the trophy ceremony, a tearful Murray pledged progress.

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"I'm getting closer," he said. It broke your heart.

Sunday's rematch felt fitting, a true second chance. This wasn't technically a Slam, but players considered a gold medal to be on par, even Federer, who respects the sanctity of Slams as much as anyone. Federer got to the match by surviving an exhausting four-and-a half-hour semi with Juan Martin del Potro that stretched to 19-17 in the third set. Murray, meanwhile, handled Djokovic in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5.

Andy was on, it was clear. And he kept a foot down into final, twice breaking Federer in the first set. The second set was a romp, almost a shutout. Federer won the opening game of the third set, but it proved to be more of the same. Murray was too good, smothering Federer's serve and finding heavy down-the-line winners whenever he needed them.

The crowd was….the crowd. Come on. What do you think they were like? Murray was back in a final! This was the hottest ticket in a city still spellbound from a magical night in track and field. Centre Court was manic from the go—Union Flags rustling in the wind, "C'mon Andy!" being screamed at every break. Wimbledon at the Olympics was a looser affair—more weekend barbecue than club sharp, and the energy seemed to propel Murray.

6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

"I know it's the biggest win of my career," Murray said.

"It's a long time coming for him," Federer said. "He did great."

He is through the velvet rope. These London Olympics have another memory that will live forever. And tennis finally has a table for four.