I've just looked up Fox News (http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/7859416/Murray-beats-Federer-in-first-round-of-Dubai-Championships) to see what an American website might report about this. It seems that, at least to the American press, Federer had been much kinder about Murray's performance.

Liam Sheils, Liverpool, UK

Fed is correct as he gave away that match due to numerous unforced errors. Murray did not win that... rather Federer lost it.

Arnold, Kansas, USA

This isn't the first time that Federer has made such comments, he has said very similar things about Djokovic in recent years and used to put down Nadal before Rafael had achieved too much for him to maintain these comments.

I find it disappointing, as I do when the Williams sisters also refuse to give their opponent credit. The man is a phenomenal player and oozes class, but for me, it is tinged with a bizarre mix of an ego and an inferiority complex. If you read his interviews, he never accepts any form of faint criticism, instead matching such questions with a forceful assertion of his strengths.

I am not a fan of Murray, but he has a lot of variety to his game and he was in no way simply grinding from the back of the court. His game has obviously improved immensely and it is a shame Federer won't let himself give his opponent any faint whiff of credit.

I am now preparing to be ambushed by the army of "he can do no wrong - the man is god" supporters that he has.

SN, UK,

Why doesn't Fed just admit that the better man won. Fed always does this, tries to be negative about his opponent when he's beaten.
What a sore loser, he could try to be gracious in defeat.

Lucy, Yorkshire,

So Andy took his old 2005 grinding game and beat the exquisitely perfect and greatest player ever in Dubai 2008! That really speaks for itself. Federer either didn't know what he was saying or was really angry. Be gracious and give Andy a break.
All he or anyone has to do is win ONE match at a time, not make a career statement about the next 15 years in one win. Murray is just a kid who is growing as a competitor and person on his own terms. I hope Murray does not pressure himself as clearly that was a bit of intimidation from Federer. It smacks of ' well, buddy, don't get too excited here, because you can't do this again with that kind of style'.
It is disappointing that with all his great records and victories, he, Federer, would still want to imply to a younger player that he won't have the same future success. Talk about negative 'advice ' that was not solicited.

rudi, canada,

I totally agree that Federer was being a sore loser in this case, and also that the fact that Murray hasn't improved in the last 2 years is a preposterous statement - I just hope Federer never goes into punditry after his career ends! (not that he'll need to, mind...)

Murray is a player that combines much variety into his game. He was hitting the stroke beautifully in this match - with great accuracy and looked much more fluent than even a couple of weeks ago with his ATP title in Qatar.

Chapman, London,

Caezar, did you watch the match? As Jonathan Overend said on 5 Live, Murray dominated for much of it and Federer was playing very well. Far from having to 'grind out' anything, Murray made Federer look quite ordinary in most of the second and all of the third set. Lacking match practice is not an excuse: before the match Fed was claiming he was in excellent shape. Federer, whom I greatly admire, should extend the same magnanimity to Murray as Andy did to him when he said it was "an honour to be on the same court" as him. That's class, and it's sad that Roger couldn't rise to a similar level this time.

Robert, Glasgow,

I have heard many others say the same about Murray's game.Federer is always magnanimous in defeat.and appreciative of his opponents.He does often tend to be honest and I agree with his assessment of Murray's game.Hopefully murrat will listen,cos its good advice.Yes he is a baseliner like Nadal and Djokvoc,but they both have a great deal more variety to their games,as well as being more enjoyable to watch.

Ross, Vancouver,

The tremendous improvement of younger players in their game is behind Roger's losing streak. Unless, he steps up his game, making use of his vast arsenal of weapons, especially his devastating forehand, I doubt he can retain his Wibledon and US Open titles this year.

Raul, Bayawan, Philippines

Raul V. Abejuela, Bayawan City, Philippines

fed is 100% correct ..all andy murray has achieved is improved weight training, other than that his game is no different.

vanna, paris,, france

It all depends on how important you view the Davis Cup. Recent events seem to prove that he made the right decision for him at this stage of his career. Hardly reprehensible. Perhaps Andy Murray should forego his individual ambitions purely to aid a Davis Cup team that will only ever yo yo between the World Group and the also rans. Yeah, right.

Russ Kent, Maastricht NL,

Andy still has some aspects of his game to improve on, but the writer is totally correct in classing Roger Federer's comments as "sour" comments. As an excellent analyser of the sport, Roger will know that Andy has improved a lot since the last time, so to say those comments, is not quite accurate!

Xenon, London,

I know you feel the need to defend Murray but Federer is exactly right, Murray really had to grind out the win, hoping that federer would make the mistakes, which he did as he lacks match practice. Over a 15 year career that is not exactly a grand slam winning formula.

Caezar, London, UK