Andy Murray insists his semi-final defeat against Roger Federer at the ATP Tour Finals can’t take the shine off a dream year for the world number three.
Murray bowed out at the semi-final stage of the season-ending event for the third time as Federer produced a superb display to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday night.
The Swiss maestro was facing Novak Djokovic in the final last night.
It was a frustrating end to the campaign for Murray, who had been keen to win the Tour Finals in front of a British audience.
But the 25-year-old Scot has enjoyed a host of golden moments over the 11 last months and he has no intention of thinking negatively about any part of his 2012 season.
Murray became the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final for 74 years in July and, although that memorable run ended in a tearful defeat to Federer, he used the pain to motivate him to new heights over the following weeks.
First he avenged the Wimbledon final loss to Federer by demolishing the Swiss on Centre Court to win the Olympic singles gold medal, and then he finally ended his long wait for a first Grand Slam title with victory over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final.
“It was an incredibly positive year. I would have loved to finish the year on a win of course but that didn’t happen,” Murray said.
“It’s been the best year of my career by a mile. So why I would look back on that negatively? That would be silly because I’ve achieved things I’ve never achieved before.
“If you told me last year I’d be sitting in this position with the results I had last year, I would have agreed and signed up for that straightaway.”
After being accused of playing too passively in the past, Murray has thrived by taking the attack to opponents more often this year and admits that more positive approach has been key to his success.
“I think that’s what I have to be most pleased with as when I had opportunities in big matches this year, I did try and take them,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to go out there and win matches rather than waiting for my opponent to lose them.”
Doubles final: Lopez/Granollers bt Bhupathi/Bopanna 7-5, 3-6, 10/3.