Murray claims Federer has 'lost a little bit'

Murray won his first title of the season after victory over Federer at the weekend (GETTY IMAGES)

Andy Murray has suggested record grand slam-winner Roger Federer is showing signs he is on the decline.

Federer, who turned 29 earlier this month, has won a record 16 grand slam titles with the most recent of those a straight sets success over Murray at the Australian Open in January.

Murray does, however, have a winning record against the Swiss and beat Federer in straight sets last weekend to win the Toronto Masters.

That followed Federer slipping outside the top-two ranked players for the first time in seven years after he failed to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time since 2002.

And while Murray, who also lost to Federer in his only other grand slam final appearance at the 2008 US Open, is unwilling to write off the Swiss just yet he intimated he thought his form had dipped in recent years.

"He's always very tough to beat," Murray told The Guardian.

"It's just that, because of how good he was in every tournament three or four years ago - and it's very difficult to be that consistent throughout your whole career ... it's normal that he's lost a little bit the last few years.

"But he's still been playing very, very well in grand slams. I'm sure that's what his goals are for the year, to make sure he plays his best there."

Murray will today play Jeremy Chardy at the Cincinnati Masters in his final lead-up event before the US Open, which begins at Flushing Meadows on August 30.

The world number four is without a coach after his split with Miles Maclagan and after his success in Canada last week admitted he was in no rush to find a replacement.

"It's nice in some ways that you do have a bit more responsibility, to figure things out for yourself when you're on the court," he said.

"You feel a little bit more freedom, maybe. It's nice in many ways after having a coach for two-and-a-half years to have a few weeks on your own."