Roger Federer is always in the discussion when it comes to discussing the greatest tennis player to have ever existed.
Alongside him, the names Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic sit proudly, and it really is a case of each to their own when picking the best to have played the game.
Clinging onto their coat tails when the three were in their prime was Andy Murray.
It proved a thankless task, but in an era where the three big-hitters dominated, Murray deserves immense credit for the way he often stuck it to the best players in world tennis.
Back in 2010, Federer got another look at Murray on a grand stage and something he said afterwards proved correct in the years that followed.
Roger Federer eventually proved correct after his Andy Murray comments in 2010
Murray reached his maiden Grand Slam final at the 2008 US Open, losing to Federer in straight sets at Flushing Meadows.
At the Australian Open in 2010, Murray was handed a chance for retribution but came up against a dominant Federer in that period, and he was blown away once again.
Reaching the final was no mean feat, of course, but afterwards, the Swiss star was quizzed on whether or not he felt Murray would eventually get over the line and lift a Grand Slam title.
He said in his press conference: “Well, I just think he’s — I mean, he’s a wonderful mover, tactician, great backhand. He has got everything you need to beat the best and to win big tournaments. You know, sometimes it just doesn’t happen when you want. Sometimes it all of a sudden happens without you knowing that it did.
“He’s going through, I mean, you know, a tough generation at the moment. There are many guys. You know, I’ve dominated hard court and grass for a long time; Rafa did clay. Rafa also became very strong on the other surfaces and so forth.
“So I think it’s just not an easy thing to do, Grand Slams, and I proved it again tonight. But I think he’s extremely strong in his mind, and I just feel like he’s got the game to do it. The question is just when.”
Murray enjoyed big moments over Federer
The man who won 20 Grand Slam titles – including eight at Wimbledon – was ultimately right to suggest it was a matter of when, not if, when it came to Murray winning one.
Murray did have to wait over two years from those comments, however, and would lose in three more finals before winning the US Open in 2012.
| Year | Tournament | Round | Score |
| 2006 | ATP Masters – Cincinnati | L32 | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2008 | Dubai Open | L32 | 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2008 | ATP Masters – Madrid | SF | 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2008 | ATP Finals | RR | 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 |
| 2009 | Doha | SF | 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2009 | ATP Masters – Indian Wells | SF | 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 |
| 2010 | ATP Masters – Canada | F | 7-5, 7-5 |
| 2010 | ATP Masters – Shanghai | F | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2012 | Olympics | F | 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2012 | ATP Masters – Shanghai | SF | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2013 | Australian Open | SF | 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 |
The Great Britain star did have some sound wins over Federer and he really was a player capable of beating the big players on any given day.
In another era Murray would have won many more Grand Slam titles and these comments from Federer suggested that everyone on the tour found him a very dangerous opponent in his prime.
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