The Union Jacks have been dusted off and the face paint bought, all ready for the big day. With Wimbledon less than a week away, Britain is preparing for its annual fortnight of hope, anticipation and shattered dreams — or could this year be different?

It may be tweaking the nose of fate to suggest that a British man can win Wimbledon for the first time since Fred Perry in 1936, but Andy Murray raised expectations by appearing yesterday in a monogrammed cable-knit jumper of the kind worn by Perry, proclaiming that he feels ready to step into the champion’s shoes.

The jumper is part of a top-to-toe outfit designed by the Fred Perry sportswear company to mark the centenary of the former champion’s birth and the first credible Wimbledon challenge by Murray. There are also shorts — shorter than shorts have been for many a year — collared shirts and a bag, all bearing the Fred Perry laurel wreath that has been the company’s logo since 1952, and Murray’s initials.

Celebrity friends of Perry, such as John F. Kennedy and Groucho Marx, were also given monogrammed Perry apparel but the company has not issued shirts with initials since the mid-1970s. While former Wimbledon champions, such as John Newcombe, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King, wore Fred Perry on Centre Court, the company has been a fading presence among the leading players. Instead, it has been a fashion choice for urban subculture groups such as mods and skinheads. The company hopes Murray can help it to regain a toehold in the sportswear market.

Times Archive, 1934: Perry the new champion

A fine career was crowned on the Centre Court at Wimbledon yesterday when F. J. Perry became virtually the champion of the world

• Leading article: The tennis championship

• Historic victory for F. J. Perry, 1935

• Perry wins again, 1936

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Murray and his brother Jamie, a former mixed-doubles champion, will wear the kit exclusively this year although replicas will be available. A standard Perry polo shirt sells for £45; the centenary special is £60.

As the world No 3, Murray is the highest-ranked British man to enter Wimbledon since the last of Perry’s three wins (even “Tiger” Tim Henman got no higher than No 4). “I am proud to be wearing an outfit inspired one of my sporting heroes,” Murray said. “I hope one day to follow in Fred Perry’s footsteps and repeat his success.”

Perry once said: “Bloody-mindedness was one of my specialities.” Some would argue that the same is true of Murray, which is why he may have a chance of becoming the champion.

As a smoker, Perry originally wanted to use a pipe as the company’s logo but Tibby Wegner, his manager, said he “didn’t think the girls would go for it” so Perry agreed to go with the Wimbledon laurel wreath instead.