Andy Murray has lost to Roger Federer in four sets at the Wimbledon Championship final.

The Swiss achieved his seventh SW19 title from eight finals 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4, as Murray failed to emulate Fred Perry, the last British gentleman to win a Wimbledon singles title in 1936.

Murray was in tears as he accepted his runners-up shield as he attempted to address the Centre Court crowd, acknowledging he is "getting closer" before congratulating the great Federer, opining magnanimously he's "not bad for a 30-year-old".

He went on to thank the support he has had during the tournament, as other supporters wept along with the Scot, including his mother, Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears.

Federer started nervously in contrast to the controlled aggression of his opponent, who broke him in his first service game, before the Swiss broke back.

Murray however went on to win the first set by breaking the 30-year-old again. He had previously not won a single set in his three previous finals at the US Open and Australian Open.

Yet Federer began to iron out the kinks in his game - especially on his backhand on Murray's second serve - to break the Glasgow-born man in the final game of the second set to level the match.

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Sealed with a kiss

Play was suspended when rain began falling torrentially, as officials decided to close the roof with the forecast gloomy for the remainder of the day.

Murray had not beaten Federer indoors for five years, and the altered surroundings favoured the Swiss. Coming back from 0-40 down in the third set to crucially break the Scot and eventually serve out the set to take the lead for the first time.

Despite the five-year age difference, Federer looked the fresher player as the match aged, with Murray clutching his ankle, groin at hamstring at various stages.

His competitor took advantage, breaking early in the fourth set and then holding serve successfully with few scares along the way to reclaim his title.

For Federer, it is his first Wimbledon win since he defeated Andy Roddick in 2009. He stated his certainty that Murray "will win a Grand Slam" when he accepted the trophy.

Relive the match with our game-by-game coverage.

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  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts while holding his runners up trophy after being defeated in his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain holds up the runners up trophy after being defeated in his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final against Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates beating Great Britain's Andy Murray during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer falls to the

    Switzerland's Roger Federer falls to the floor in celebration after his men's singles final victory over Britain's Andy Murray on day 13 of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2012. Federer won the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • Switzerland's Roger Federer falls to his

    Switzerland's Roger Federer falls to his knees in celebration after his men's singles final victory over Britain's Andy Murray on day 13 of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2012. Federer won the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray (left) and Switzerland's Roger Federer walk out for their Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Switzerland's Roger Federer and Great Britain's Andy Murray (right) pose before their Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot to Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

  • Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot to Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

  • Andy Murray of Britain plays a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's singles final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot to Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

  • David Beckham, center left, his wife Victoria Beckham, center right, and retired tennis player Rod Laver, front left, wait for the start of the men's singles final match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

  • Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, and her sister Pippa Middleton, left, applaud before the start of the men's singles final between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Fans on Murray Mount as Great Britain's Andy Murray plays Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain in action during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Fans watch on Murray Mount as Great Britain's Andy Murray plays Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray celebrates winning the first set from Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Singles Final

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Groundstaff cover the court after rain stops play in the final between Great Britain's Andy Murray and Switzerland's Roger Federer during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray walks off as rain starts to fall on Centre Court in his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer in their Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Tennis fans stay in their spots during a torrential rain storm during the third set on 'Murray Mount,' on the final day at Wimbledon, on July 8, 2012 in London, England. Andy Murray is the first British man to reach the finals since 1938, and will take on six time champion Roger Federer. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Crowds on 'Murray Mount' watch the men's

    Crowds on 'Murray Mount' watch the men's singles final match between Britain's Andy Murray and Switzerland's Roger Federer on a big screen on day 13 of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray gestures during his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray reacts in his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray falls in his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray reacts in his match against Switzerland's Roger Federer in the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his dejection during his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

  • Roger Federer of Switzerland, back, is congratulated by Andy Murray of Britain after winning the men's singles final against at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts while holding his runners up trophy after being defeated in his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Great Britain's Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears wipes her eyes after the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

  • Tennis - 2012 Wimbledon Championships - Day Thirteen - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

    Kim Sears (far right) and Andy Murray's coaching team, including Ivan Lendl (left) during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.