LONDON, (Reuters) – A lot has happened to Andy Murray in the three years since he choked back the tears on Centre Court after a four-set defeat that handed Roger Federer the Wimbledon trophy for a seventh time.
As the home fans trooped away disappointed from a soaking wet All England Club that day, many were wondering whether the Briton, who had just lost a fourth successive major final, had what it took to get over the line when the real pressure was on.
With the pair set to meet again in today’s Wimbledon semi-final, however, there is no doubt who has enjoyed the better fortune since that encounter in 2012.
A short summary of the intervening period for Murray reads two grand slam titles and one Olympic gold medal, but more importantly, he has shifted a monkey from his back that had threatened to weigh him down for his whole career.
Federer, who clinched a 17th grand slam title that day, has never again tasted major success and with every passing year knows he may never get a better chance to add to his record tally of grand slams.
It is not that the Swiss has plummeted down the rankings. He has stayed at the top of the men’s game and is seeded and ranked ahead of Murray heading into Friday’s clash.
But the modern game is becoming increasingly punishing on the body and at 33 years old the clock is ticking on the Swiss maestro.
His recent record against Murray is superb. He has beaten the Briton in their last three meetings, including a humiliating 6-0 6-1 victory in their last encounter at the ATP finals in November.
That was their last meeting in London, but Murray may prefer to remember their last match on grass — three one-sided sets that secured the Olympic gold medal on Centre Court just weeks after their Wimbledon final.
“I feel like I’m playing better tennis than I was then,” the Briton said.
