MELBOURNE, Australia - The weight of a nation's expectationsbroke Andy Murray's composure Sunday after Roger Federer broke hisgame.
Receiving his runner-up prize, Murray's voice faltered and heblinked away tears as he apologized to his fans at home for notbringing home the first British trophy in a men's tennis major in 74years.
"I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. I'msorry I couldn't do it for you tonight but ..." He paused to gatherhimself, then joked: "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame Ican't play like him."
Behind him, Federer smiled. The new Australian Open champion wasin tears after he lost last year's final to Rafael Nadal. He alsocried at his win in 2006, when he was presented the trophy by legendRod Laver.
On Sunday, Federer won his fourth Australian Open title with his6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win over Murray but applauded the Scot for hisperformance.
"You're too good of a player not to win a Grand Slam, so don'tworry about it," Federer said.
The 22-year-old Murray had set a record for British men just byreaching two major finals in the Open era, but his countrymen werehoping for more. Their expectations were focused on Murray becomingthe first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win one of thefour tennis majors.
His progress through the tournament was heralded on the frontpages of newspapers in Britain, and millions tuned in to watch thefinal.
Murray obviously felt the pressure on him but said he put thataside when he played.
"Everyone wishing you well from back home, that's obviouslynice," he told reporters later. "Once you get on the court, it's notwhat you're thinking about at all."
After all, he had the world No. 1 to contend with.
Murray still holds a 6-5 advantage over Federer in career head-to-heads - one of only four players who can boast such an advantage -but has lost the last three.
After falling behind two sets, Murray fought through a longtiebreaker in the third set but lost when he netted a backhand andgave Federer his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title.
"I don't feel great," Murray admitted. "I think it was more theway the end of the match finished. Obviously it was pretty emotionalend to the match. ... I had my chance to get back into the match.That was probably why I was upset."
Federer was impressed with Murray and his temperament after thematch.
"I thought he was actually doing fine until he told me, 'I thinkthere will be some tears'. I'm like, 'Don't worry, it will be allright,"' Federer said.
of Murray.
"In a way it was hard to watch, but at the same time I likeseeing players who care for the game. It's nice to see. I wish onlythe best for him."
Murray said he planned to take some time off to rest and assesshis priorities in terms of his tennis game, and gave himself creditfor his achievements.
"Getting to a second slam final, it's a great achievement,"Murray said. "So I've got to be proud of that."
But he, like the rest of Britain, wants more.
"I'm hungry to win one," he said. "I worked really, really hardto try to do it and give myself the opportunity. So far it's notbeen good enough. But I'm sure one day it will be. When it comes,maybe because of the two losses, it will be even better."
AP-ES-01-31-10 1709EST
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