Federer backs Murray to win major titles

LONDON – Through crushing disappointment Andy Murray took heart from his best display yet in a grand slam final and the fact that his conqueror said he would win one soon.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Andy Murray congratulates Roger Federer on his record seventh Wimbledon singles title. Net photo.

LONDON – Through crushing disappointment Andy Murray took heart from his best display yet in a grand slam final and the fact that his conqueror said he would win one soon. Murray initially took the final to Roger Federer and won the first set – his first in the four grand slam finals he has played, three of them against the Swiss."I played better this time in the final and that’s the main thing,” said Murray after the match, following which both players admitted the closure of the roof at one set all had made a difference to the match. "It’s not an easy tournament for British players in many ways but I think I dealt with all of the extra things away from the tournament pretty well – better maybe than I had done in the past,” said Murray."It was my first time in a Wimbledon final, I’d never been there before. So I’m still improving, still playing better tennis, trying to improve, which is all I can do.”Federer, who returned to No1 in the world rankings and moved to joint top of the overall list of Wimbledon men’s singles title winners, said he "genuinely believed” Murray would win more than one grand slam title."I see what he goes through on a daily basis and he handles it perfectly. I really do believe deep down that he will win grand slams and not just one,” said Federer, who notched up his 17th title.The Swiss, who had not won one for more than two years leading some to speculate his period of dominance might be over, said he had tried to be more aggressive of late and take the game to his opponents."There have been tough moments for me in the last couple of years. So I didn’t try and picture myself with the trophy or think too far ahead. There was so much on the line.”Wimbledon Winners - Men’s singles     2012    Roger Federer    (Switz)2011     Novak Djokovic     (Serbia)2010     Rafael Nadal     (Spain) 2009     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2008     Rafael Nadal     (Spain) 2007     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2006     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2005     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2004     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2003     Roger Federer     (Switz) 2002     Lleyton Hewitt     (Aus)2001     Goran Ivanisevic  (Cro)2000     Pete Sampras     (USA)