Andy Murray refused to blame his decision to allow Roger Federer to serve first for his straight-sets Wimbledon exit to the supreme Swiss.
Murray won the toss but elected to receive first up, meaning he was always serving to stay in the match.
And it proved critical as Murray failed to hold in the always-tense final game of the first two sets.
The British number one was forever playing catch up. Less than a month short of his 34th birthday, the Peter Pan of tennis produced arguably one his best ever performances at the All England Club, Federer bulldozing the Scot 7-5, 7-5, 6-4.
On Sunday history could beckon against defending champion Novak Djokovic as Federer goes for a record eighth Wimbledon title, and Murray admits the Swiss star has never looked so good.
“It’s almost impossible when he serves so fantastically. I didn’t really have any opportunities,” said Murray.
“I wouldn’t say it’s bold to receive. A lot of guys serve first; a lot of guys receive first. It really depends on what your preference is.
“He served unbelievably. That was the difference, not the fact that he served first. If he served that way, it was always going to be too tough.”
And Murray believes Federer could be close to being considered the greatest tennis player – and sportsman even – of all time.
He added: “In my opinion, tennis is an extremely difficult sport. I think individual sports, to be great for a long time, you have to have so many different ingredients to your abilities. Physical, mental, everything.
“When people can talk about someone like [Lionel] Messi, people love the way he plays the game. He [Federer] makes it look easy. It stands out more, too. He is unbelievable.”
