British pressure gets to Murray

MELBOURNE, Australia – The weight of a nation’s expectations broke Andy Murray’s composure Sunday after Roger Federer broke his game.

Receiving his runner-up prize, Murray’s voice faltered and he blinked away tears as he apologized to his fans at home for not bringing home the first British trophy in a men’s tennis major in 74 years.

“I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it for you tonight but …” He paused to gather himself, then joked: “I can cry like Roger, it’s just a shame I can’t play like him.”

The 22-year-old Murray had set a record for British men just by reaching two major finals in the Open era, but his countrymen were hoping for more. Their expectations were focused on Murray becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win one of the four tennis majors.

“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 hard to try to do it and give myself the opportunity. So far it’s not been 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.”