Roger Federer was magnanimous in defeat on Friday after his hopes of a gold medal in the Olympic singles were extinguished by American James Blake.
The Swiss, who will officially cease to be the world's best tennis player when the new rankings are released on Monday, slid to a 6-4 7-6 defeat on Thursday night as his normally graceful game misfired again.
He had never lost to Blake in eight previous meetings, ceding just one set in that sequence, but he was outplayed on Centre Court as Blake's forehand caught fire.
"It's a big disappointment obviously," the 27-year-old Swiss flag-bearer told reporters in the early hours of Friday after his doubles quarter-final with Stanislas Wawrinka had been called off because of rain.
"The Olympics was one of the goals of the season for me. So obviously the quarter-finals is not going to do it," he said.
"I think James played well. I can only really say how well he played. I've played him on many occasions, but I think this was the best I've seen him.”
"I'm happy for him. I hope he can go all the way now."
Federer's latest setback, following the morale-sapping defeats against Spain's Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals, will lead to inevitable gossip that his five-year domination of men's tennis is over for good.
The 12-times Grand Slam champion, who blames a lack of proper practicing after an early season illness for his run of poor form, said he could still salvage his season.
"I'm not happy with this tournament. I wish I could have done much more," said Federer.
"But I've still got to look forward to the U.S. Open. I still have that and then the Masters Cup in Shanghai to really do well now and try and save my season," he said.
Blake, playing at his first Olympics, offered a generous take on the Federer debate.
"It's like Tiger Woods. When they don't win every single week, it's called a bad year," Blake told reporters.
"You never see him lose his cool. Never see him break a racket. Never see him berate an umpire. I still have a ton of praise for him. I still have a ton of respect for him as a man."
