The British number one’s first final at SW19 ends in an emotional defeat against the Swiss star in four sets.
Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses with the trophy after his men’s singles final victory over Britain’s Andy Murray on day 13 of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2012. Federer won the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. AFP PHOTO/ LEON NEAL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)
A tearful Andy Murray struggled to speak following his defeat to Swiss player Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final.
Murray was trying to become the first British man to win the men’s singles at SW19 since Fred Perry 76 years ago.
But despite taking the opening set, he was beaten by Federer who won the match 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.
The British number one admitted he was “getting closer” to claiming the title.
In an emotional interview on Centre Court, he said: “I’m going to try this and it’s not going to be easy.
“First I would like to congratulate Roger, I was getting asked the other day after I won my semi-final, is this your best chance, Roger is 30 now? He isn’t bad for a 30-year-old.
“He played a great tournament, he had some struggles early on with his back and showed what a fight he still has in him, so congratulations, you deserve it.”
Federer equalled Pete Sampras’ record with his seventh title and reclaims the world number one ranking.
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Murray, 25, also paid tribute to his team, as well as the crowd. His girlfriend Kim Sears and mother Judy Murray were also reduced to tears.
Speaking about “Team Murray”, he said: “I’m going to try and not look at them because I’ll probably start crying again but everyone who is in that corner over there, who has supported me…we did a great job, so thank you.
“And last of all to you guys,” he said to the crowd. “Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, how difficult it is.
“It’s not the people watching, they make it so much easier to play. The support has been incredible.”
Murray had started well, taking the first set to rapturous applause.
But despite deafening support from a partisan crowd, he lost the second set, then the third – which was interrupted by rain for the roof to be put on Centre Court, and went on to lose a fourth set.
Federer, whose wife Mirka was watching with their twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, congratulated his rival, saying: “He will at least win one grand slam.”
Of his seven Wimbledon title record, equalling Sampras, he said: “He is my hero and it feels amazing.”
In his post-match press conference, Murray revealed he had apologised to Federer for his show of emotion.
“I just said to him, ‘sorry. I didn’t obviously want that to happen’. You feel like you’re kind of attention seeking or something. It was not like that at all.
“And I knew it before, because they asked me if I wanted to do the interview. I knew it was going to be hard because I just felt it.”
Author : Syed Rajowan / e-News Xclusive / Source : SKY
