- .Wimbledon champion was hit in the face outside Nobu in Mayfair
- .Had been enjoying quiet celebratory meal after day of interviews
- .Fan was so desperate for autograph he hit the programme in his idol's face
By BECKY EVANS and SIMON TOMLINSON
An overzealous fan who accidentally smacked Andy Murray in the eye with a programme was today identified as an autograph-hunter who set up a business selling mementoes on eBay.
Ifran Ahmed struck the Wimbledon champion during a scrum for his signature as he left an upmarket restaurant in Mayfair last night.
The World No. 2 was being ushered through the crowd of well-wishers when a brochure bearing the words 'winning serve' was waved near his face.
However, in his desperate bid to get the 26-year-old's attention, Mr Ahmed misjudged the angle and caught him straight in the face.
Too keen for comfort: Ifran Ahmed (pictured with Olympic cycling gold medallist Bradley Wiggins) has been identified as the man who accidentally struck Andy Murray with a programme while trying to get his autograph
Well struck: Andy Murray is caught in the face as Mr Ahmed reaches out in a desperate bid to get his attention
Keen: Mr Ahmed thrusts the programme bearing the words 'winning serve' as Murray tries to get into a car
Mr Ahmed set up a business selling autographs and memorabilia from an account called 'pieceoffame' on eBay in 2002.
Among the items currently listed on the site is a Formula 1 helmet signed by various drivers including champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton on sale for £5,000.
Others include a guitar signed by Rolling Stones star Keith Richards for £750 and a giant tennis ball signed by Murray and Wimbledon finalist Novak Djokovic on offer for £500.
However, it is understood that Mr Ahmed no longer runs the business himself or makes money from the items placed on the account.
Mr Ahmed has also posted pictures on his Twitter account posing with stars such as Olympic diving star Tom Daley, Tour de France winner and London 2012 gold medallist Bradley Wiggins and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan.
On his TwitPic profile, he says: 'My business is selling autographs and memorabilia!!! I also obtain autographs. So I am gonna share my experiences with you of meeting these guys!'
Mixing with the stars: Mr Ahmed (pictured, left, with Olympic diving star Tom Daley) set up his own business selling autographs and memorabilia on eBay
Nosy fan: Murray was swatted in the nose as he left Nobu in Mayfair with girlfriend Kim Sears
Great shot: Not even Murray can duck out of the way in time as the programme is thrust into his face
Sour taste: Dressed in a navy suit and blue shirt, the double Grand Slam champion had just finished dinner with his girlfriend of seven years, Kim Sears (centre)
Fault! The British Number 1 pulls his head away after being poked in the face in a scrum of autograph hunters
Ouch! The 26-year-old was celebrating after becoming the first British men's winner of Wimbledon in 77 years
Murray had just enjoyed a quiet dinner with girlfriend Kim Sears at Nobu Berkley ST restaurant when he smacked in the eye as he left for home.
He screwed up his face before covering his eyes with his hands and climbing into a waiting car.
Dressed in a navy suit and blue shirt, the double Grand Slam champion had just finished dinner with his girlfriend of seven years, who wore an embellished black dress and oversized clutch.
The pair were joined for dinner by Murray's mother Judy, who all left together before he was hit in the face.
Take cover: Murray shields his eye after the programme with the words 'Winning Service' hit him
Shocked: Murray looked a bit taken aback as he was ushered through the crowds of wellwishers
Eye-watering end to the night: Murray is ushered away by security as he continues to rub his face
Feeling the effects: The Scot covers his face and grimaces as he gets into a waiting car outside the restaurant
That's a stinger: The tennis ace keeps on rubbing his eye as he gets into his chauffeur-driven car
Bleary-eyed: Murray shows the effects of a hectic day as he and Miss Sears are driven away from Nobu
It was an unceremonious end to a day filled with celebratory interviews for the Scot that included a trip to meet children at a tennis court in Lambeth, south London.
The day of media commitments - after just two hours sleep - culminated with a trip to Downing Street where he was greeted by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
Asked how he managed to keep going after such an exhausting fortnight, the 26-year-old replied: ‘Adrenaline.’
Making the most of it: Murray and Miss Sears partied the night away at The Rose Club in Marylebone
Celebration: The Wimbledon champion Andy Murray enjoyed a night out with a group of 20 friends
Night out: Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears continued to celebrate his victory at Nobu on Monday
Relaxing: The couple were enjoying a quiet dinner after a day of interviews and a trip to Downing Street
Whirlwind: Murray and his girlfriend were joined by his mother Judy (right) for the meal
Murray successfully dodged questions about whether he is planning to propose to his long-term girlfriend.
This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby asked if 'popping the question' could be among his list of upcoming challenges.
But Murray replied with a smile: ‘I only met you like ten minutes ago so I wouldn’t be telling you first.'
Ending 77 years of hurt: Murray poses with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic to become the first British men's winner since Fred Perry in 1936
Just a day after the historic victory, Murray later revealed he is already looking forward to stepping onto Centre Court next year as defending Wimbledon champion.
He said: 'I just cannot imagine what that experience will be like.
'There will be a lot of pressure and nerves but I don't think it can be as bad as it has the last few years.'
Meanwhile... Novak Djokovic is still number one in his girlfriend's eyes as he casts aside Wimbledon defeat to host star-studded charity gala dinner
He suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Andy Murray in the Wimbledon men's final on Sunday afternoon.
But Novak Djokovic seemed to have put his loss behind him as he hosted a star-studded gala dinner in aid of his Novak Djokovic Foundation on Monday night.
And the 26-year-old tennis star's stunning girlfriend Jelena Ristic proved he is still very much her champion as she proudly posed alongside her man on the green carpet at London's Roundhouse venue.
Still her champion: Novak Djokovic seemed to have put his Wimbledon loss behind him as he hosted a gala dinner in aid of the Novak Djokovic Foundation alongside his stunning girlfriend Jelena Ristic
Fun and games: The World Number 1 plays a joke tennis match with former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker
Ace time: Goldie Hawn takes part in a charity tennis game in a dress and high heels as daughter Kate Hudson looks on
Proving she is every inch the doting girlfriend, Jelena worked the star-studded crowd like a true professional, chatting to stars from the worlds of showbiz and sport with ease.
And the event certainly pulled in a stellar crowd, with the likes of Hollywood actress Kate Hudson, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Gerard Butler and retired tennis champion Boris Becker turning out to do their bit for the charity.
The inaugural foundation dinner was even given the royal seal of approval with Sarah Ferguson and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie also putting in an appearance.
Royal seal of approval: The inaugural foundation dinner was also attended by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (left) and their mother Sarah Ferguson (right)
A-list company: Kate posed alongside her actress mother Goldie Hawn, Muse frontman fiance Matt Bellamy and hosts Novak Djokovic and Jelena Ristic inside the event
Singer Holly Valance, with husband Nick Candy, (left) and Tamara Beckwith (right) leave with Uniqlo goodie bags
The Serbian sportsman looked every inch the dapper gentleman as he arrived at the gala dinner, wearing an immaculately tailored black suit, which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and bow-tie.
But Jelena was the one who truly commanded attention on the green carpet, opting for an eye-catching navy and white strapless gown, featuring a nipped-in waist and full skirt.
The swimwear model wore her honey blonde locks swept up off her shoulders into a stylish up-do, and accessorised with glittering diamond drop earrings and a navy clutch bag
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