'I still believe I can win a Grand Slam this year'

There were regrets, just a few, but no recriminations from Andy Murray last night.

The Scot admitted there were occasional points he could have played better during his 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 defeat to Andy Roddick but, on balance felt he had played well. He added that Wimbledon 2009 had been "a productive tournament" for him, it had further convinced him he would win a Grand Slam, and that he would build on it to "return stronger next year".

"It's been a very good tournament," he said. "I did better than I ever had before. I had some very good matches and thought I played some good tennis. I felt I dealt with everything put in front of me well and will come back next year and try and do better.

"This year I was very, very close to getting to the final. I've been more consistent in Slams this year and I believe I can win one, whether it is Wimbledon, the US Open, Australia, or whatever. I'm going to give myself chances."

This defeat, he said, could be attributed to the quality Roddick's serve. "He served great, really, really, well in the tie-breaks. If someone serves consistently above 130mph, with 70 per cent success rate, it is very tough to break them. He was serving very close to the lines. Sometimes there is not a whole lot you can do about that.

"I thought I played well. I hit more winners and made less unforced errors. It just came down to a few points here or there on his serve and he served very well.

"I didn't pass as well as I normally do and I did not take a couple of chances, but I did not play poorly."

Tim Henman, speaking from bitter experience, said he thought it would take a long time for Murray to get over the loss. The player himself – speaking without being aware of Henman's comments – disagreed. He added he was already thinking of the next Grand Slam, in New York.

"I'll move on very quickly and work at my game and come back stronger," Murray said. "It is a pathetic attitude to have lose one match and let it go and ruin your year. I've always said the US open is my best surface, my best chance to win a Slam."

Murray, who will now take a break before starting the build up to New York, had a broadside for the umpire, Pascal Maria, who erroneously gave him a code violation. "That stuff just annoys me, he totally rushed in to it," said Murray of Maria. "When you say 'hit the pass' and get a code violation for that it is a bit disappointing, so I hope I get an apology."

Roddick said: "This is certainly up there with my best results, beating a player of his rank and calibre in his atmosphere. I had to play my best tennis to win. He's been a much better player than me over the last year. I was just a little bit better today.

"To be honest, the last couple of years I didn't know if I'd ever get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title. Now I get to. It's just a dream."