Britain's Andy Murray (green jacket) and his wife Kim Sears (2nd left) watch Andy's brother Jamie Murray and his Australian partner John Peers play Netherlands' Jean-Julien Rojer and Romania's Horia Tecau in the men's doubles final at the Wimbledon yesterday. Jamie and John lost the match. (AFP)

 

DPA/London


Defeated Andy Murray could do little more than pay his respects to the game of Roger Federer after being hammered by the Swiss in their Wimbledon semi-final blowout on Friday.
Murray never won a set and also had to deal with a home centre court crowd which showed as much support for the Swiss seven-time champion as it did for its own third-seeded Scot.
After being comprehensively outplayed, Murray had little to offer in his own defence. The 28-year-old could only marvel at Federer’s impeccable and lethal form at the age of 33.
“There’s very few players that have been able to do it, on the men’s side. Obviously (Andre) Agassi played some great tennis into his 30s.  Jimmy Connors is another one that played well late.
“But I don’t know if anyone’s played as well as Roger maybe at that age,” said Murray.
“Serena (Williams) obviously on the women’s side is doing it. But they’re pretty rare athletes, they’re two of the best that have ever played the game.”
Murray credits Federer’s longevity to his low-impact style.  “Obviously the way that Roger plays, he doesn’t put loads of strain on his body. That’s why he’s been able to compete, you know, into his mid 30s at the highest level.
“It’s impressive. He’s a great sportsman, a great tennis player. It’s tough to say if he’s the best of all time. Serena’s got a fair shout at saying the same thing, as well, right now.”
 
Massive cashflow just not a problem for Wimbledon
Despite his ouster in the semi-finals, the Andy Murray feel-good effect  continues to make its usual favourable impression on the Wimbledon bottom line.
Two years after the Scot became the first British man in 77 years to win the singles title, income from elite debenture subscriptions have risen from $90 million to nearly $150 million.
That is a fact which surely brings joy to the bean-counters at the Championships. And the financial good times are likely to roll on, with the 28-year-old Murray surely in the mix for another five years at the minimum.