What could he do? If it wasn’t the question running through Andy Murray’s mind, it was certainly what most observers were wondering as seven-time champion Roger Federer produced a dazzling display of winners, aces and all-round superiority in his 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 progression to a 10th Wimbledon final.
For in all that, Murray actually didn’t play badly. In the first very game, he even had something that only three men in the 2015 Championships have managed: a break point against a man who at age 33, is still serving up his best tennis.
Federer saved that break point, naturally. Just as he produced 20 aces and 56 winners at the most pivotal moments, the Swiss star’s timing as superb as his stunning execution throughout the two hour, seven minute encounter.
“He served fantastic, apart from the first game where I had the chance there,” said Murray. “I didn't really have any opportunities. Then, you know, that puts pressure on you. The pressure builds throughout the set that way. Obviously got broken right at the end all of the sets. But I didn't actually play a bad match. Played pretty well.”
If that doesn’t provide Murray with a consolation of sorts he can at least acknowledge that in his 24th-career meeting with Federer, he absolutely played his heart out.
Never was that more pronounced than in the 10th game of the second set, which spanned close to 15 minutes after Murray found himself trailing 0-40. He bravely saved the first of five set points with an ace, eventually securing the game with one of the12 that he served. “I was trying to fight as hard as I could,” said Murray. “I served pretty well under pressure in that game. But, yeah, like I said, it just kind of felt like every point was finishing with a winner.”
That brave fight wouldn’t be enough against Federer, the Swiss star comfortably holding his own serve and then securing another critical break, and the set, only minutes later.
Murray couldn’t say whether it was the best he’d played in a Grand Slam loss. Nor would he acknowledge whether the seven-time champion is showing his best form at the 2015 Championships. “I don't know if he's close to his peak. You'll have to ask him,” he said. “But that's definitely the best he served against me. To be honest he clearly deserved to win the match. He had more opportunities than me.”
Murray, of course, is not the first man to be robbed of opportunities by the prolific champion. But it had to be asked whether the 28-year-old is frustrated to be surrendering such chances at this prime period in his own career.
“No,” insisted a gracious Murray. “It's great that I get the opportunity to play against him.... obviously when he plays like that, he could play for a long time. You never know when the last time you're going to play against him is at this stage. Look, I do enjoy it. I do enjoy competing against him.”
Murray poignantly acknowledges that it always hurts the most to lose in his home major where he has progressed to six of his 17 Grand Slam semi-finals. “I feel like this is my best chance to win a Slam. When I played here, I feel like it's my best surface. I played consistently well here throughout my career. So it's tough in that aspect,” he said.
By the same token, there’s still time for Murray to add to the two Grand Slam titles he’s claimed in his career. “I still have a few years left. I do genuinely feel like I'm improving my game, as well,” he noted, adding that there are many positives as he competes in one of the game’s most subliminal eras.
“This year so far has been my most consistent year by far,” he said. “In comparison to last year, it's night and day. I'm playing so much better than then. It's still an extremely tough time to win these major events because the guys that are around are phenomenal tennis players.”
That superb standard might mean the occasional day when Murray’s top tennis is not enough. But there’ll be other days, too, when a breakthrough makes the rewards infinitely higher.