Melbourne, Jan. 14 : British tennis star Andy Murray has said that he not afraid or nervous about confronting thirteen-time Grand Slam champion and Swiss Roger Federer anymore.

"I don''t get nervous when I play you (Federer) any more," the Daily Telegraph quoted Murray, as saying.

"It doesn''t make any difference whether people expect you to win or not. It doesn''t change my mentality. You get used to being expected to win matches when you play at Wimbledon. The pressure that comes with that gets you used to these situations. The older you get, the more matches you play, you realise what the bookies are saying doesn''t make any difference once you get on court. You just get on with your job," Murray said.

The young Scot said: "The more you play against him, the less fearful you are, you''re not scared to win the match. If you''re young and you play against the top guys, once you get close to winning you get nervous. Now, when I play him, I don''t get nervous and if I play my best tennis I can beat him."

Federer suggested on Tuesday that challenger Andy Murray was no threat to his aspiration for another Grand Slam.

Murray, the 21-year-old Scot who cruised from 20th in the world rankings last April to No. 4 by the end of the year, has beaten Federer in their two meetings this month.

He also has a 5-2 record against Federer in official ATP matches, as well as a resounding victory over the Swiss in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.

As a result of those defeats and his solid end to last season, Murray has been installed as the favourite for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne next week.

But Federer, who is in Melbourne to play in the pre-Open Kooyong Classic this week, doesn''t necessarily agree with the bookmaker''s assessment.

"Good for him, but it doesn''t help him a whole lot. I''ve been in that position before and didn''t make it. But I''m surprised that the bookies say he''s the favourite. He''s never won a slam," The Age quoted Federer, as saying.

Federer, who will be looking for his 14th grand slam singles title in Melbourne, expressed admiration for Murray''''s play.

"I think he''s got used to playing at a high level. he''s more consistent now," he said.

Federer, who pulled out of the Kooyong tournament with a stomach virus last year, said he is fully fit and feeling good about his game after making his earliest ever start to the tennis year. (ANI)