Andy Murray came of age after Wimbledon heartache: Federer
12 Nov 2012 6:10 AM IST
Andy Murray’s tearful defeat in his first Wimbledon final proved the catalyst for the Scot’s golden summer, according to Roger Federer, the man who crushed Murray’s hopes that day in July.
Federer’s ruthless display on Centre Court to win a seventh Wimbledon title was a massive blow for Murray for whom it was his fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final.
Federer and Murray will clash for the third time in London this year on Sunday in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals with the Swiss two wins away from a seventh title.
The 31-year-old said his victory over the British favourite at Wimbledon may have been a watershed moment for Murray.
‘Andy did great. I always hoped he would have a reaction like this, to be quite honest, even though it cost me maybe a gold medal.
‘I was a bit disappointed in his reaction after the Australian Open finals, when I beat him there, then he went on a bad spell I think through Rotterdam, Indian Wells, Miami. He didn’t really play so well.
‘Instead of taking positives out of a great tournament, because he was playing great tennis, he took the negatives out of it. I don’t think he did that mistake again after Wimbledon. That’s the sign of a champion.
‘So yes, you can say it sort of started for him at the Olympics. ‘I think he played a bit better than maybe in the Wimbledon finals.’
Federer’s ruthless display on Centre Court to win a seventh Wimbledon title was a massive blow for Murray for whom it was his fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final.
Federer and Murray will clash for the third time in London this year on Sunday in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals with the Swiss two wins away from a seventh title.
The 31-year-old said his victory over the British favourite at Wimbledon may have been a watershed moment for Murray.
‘Andy did great. I always hoped he would have a reaction like this, to be quite honest, even though it cost me maybe a gold medal.
‘I was a bit disappointed in his reaction after the Australian Open finals, when I beat him there, then he went on a bad spell I think through Rotterdam, Indian Wells, Miami. He didn’t really play so well.
‘Instead of taking positives out of a great tournament, because he was playing great tennis, he took the negatives out of it. I don’t think he did that mistake again after Wimbledon. That’s the sign of a champion.
‘So yes, you can say it sort of started for him at the Olympics. ‘I think he played a bit better than maybe in the Wimbledon finals.’
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