Nicola Sturgeon among fans cheering on Jamie Murray

Nicola Sturgeon adjusts her sunglasses for a better view of the match lost by Jamie. Picture: Getty Images

Following two weeks of Murray mania surrounding Andy, this was Jamie’s time in the spotlight and a moment to savour, given the 29-year-old had never before reached the men’s doubles final at a Grand Slam.

With his younger brother and mother Judy watching nervously from the stands, Jamie played in what he hoped would be the second Grand Slam victory of his career – he won the Wimbledon mixed doubles with Jelena Jankovic in 2007.

But despite putting in a valiant effort alongside Australian partner John Peers, it was another blow for the British crowd as Jamie too crashed out of the All England Club competition.

He and Peers lost in three straight sets to opponents Jean-Julien Rojer, from the Netherlands, and Romanian Horia Tecau.

Appearance in the final once seemed an impossible prospect when Murray’s doubles ranking slipped out of the top 100 in 2010, but he has enjoyed a revival with Peers, climbing to 28th in the world and winning five tour titles with his 26-year-old partner.

Yesterday he became the first Scot since Ian Collins in 1929 to reach a Wimbledon doubles final.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, as the pair were beaten 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 by the fourth seeds.

The winning pair fell to their knees in celebration after the match, with Tecau finally getting his hands on the trophy after finishing runner-up three times.

Jamie and Peers earn £170,000 as runners-up.

Andy and his wife Kim stood and applauded from the stands as the players left the court.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also among the guests at yesterday’s final, where the Centre Court crowd erupted in sympathetic cheers as Murray and his partner lifted their runners-up trophies.

Crowd spirits remained high, but younger brother Andy could be seen looking bitterly depressed.

“I didn’t know he was coming till I heard him shouting,” said Jamie of his brother’s support after the match,

“He was shouting all the time, encouragement. It was cool. It was nice to see him out there supporting.

“It was a good tournament for us. We got to the final of Wimbledon, which is not so easy to do. I mean, my best result in a Grand Slam by quite some distance, I guess.

“It’s sad to lose but I guess overall it was a positive tournament,” he added.

The Murray brothers must now regroup after Wimbledon disappointment as they are both part of the Great Britain squad which will take on France in this week’s Davis Cup quarter-final at Queen’s Club.

Dunblane had showed its support for the tennis star earlier in the day with shop windows adorned with supportive banners.

Tennis fans took to Twitter to share their disappointment following the match,

Susan Soden wrote: “It just wasn’t the year for either of them. Bring on the Davis Cup next weekend – support the Murray brothers.”

Janette Moran said: “Jamie Murray, you should be so proud, GS runners-up is a great achievement, more chances will come. Great effort. #Wimbledon.”