Luxury car maker Jaguar has netted a blue riband fixture in the British sporting calendar as official car supplier to Wimbledon.

The Big Cat has been announced as partner to the All England Lawn Tennis Club for the most prestigious tournament in the world of tennis.

And the deal has won the seal of approval from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho who has been appointed an official Jaguar Ambassador by the Midlands car maker.

The deal will see Jaguar supply 170 luxury and high performance vehicles, including XEs, XFs and XJs, to the London venue throughout the two-week tournament in late June and early July.

The Chelsea boss was given his first experience of Wimbledon to mark his new role as part of a tour hosted by former champion Tim Henman including making the celebrated walk to Centre Court.

Mourinho said: "Wimbledon is more than a Grand Slam. You have great tournaments, great matches but Wimbledon is Wimbledon. The tradition, the history around this tournament is magnificent.

"There are some iconic moments in your sport's history and in football to play at Wembley is a special moment. It is similar to Wimbledon. The aura is very difficult to explain - you come in and you just feel it."

Laura Schwab, UK marketing director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Wimbledon is a British icon which is recognised globally as the pinnacle of international sport. There's no other event like it.

"The tournament captures our imagination in different ways. For some it's the feeling of summer, but for others it's British sport at its best. We're very excited to be working with the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club."