ANDY MURRAY is determined to become as strong as Rafael Nadal after pushing the world No.2 all the way in a thrilling five-set defeat at the Australian Open.

The 19-year-old stood toe-to-toe with the Spaniard, absorbing his punishing groundstrokes and causing plenty of problems before bowing out 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 after nearly four hours in the fourth round clash on Rod Laver Arena, as reported on SportTimes Online yesterday.

Murray relaxed today on the go-kart track before flying to London where he will start gym work and give his blistered feet a rest.

Next week, it's the Zagreb Indoors Tournament in Croatia, but for now the Dunblane ace can reflect on a fantastic display.

"I'm definitely not disappointed," he said. "I felt like I played a really great match and I played near to the best I can play right now."

The 15th seed was particularly satisfied he lasted the pace.

"I'm really pleased that the reason I lost wasn't because I couldn't last physically," he said. "I played five sets against one of the fittest guys around and my body stood up.

"The guy is so strong, he's been like that since he was 16 or 17.

"Richard Gasquet said when he played him at the French that he felt like he had to do a lot of growing up.

"You look at his body, and you look at me, Novak Djokovic, Gasquet, Gael Monfils - we're not as physically strong as him. But in about a year, year and a half, I don't think there will be any physical differences. I'm going to work as hard as I can to try to get to that level."

Murray appeared to hurt his right side during the third set but refused to use that as an excuse.

He said: "I hurt it a little stretching for a ball on my forehand. I served a few double faults right after it happened but it didn't affect me really.

"My standard of tennis was excellent all the way through.

"I hit some huge shots and I had chances to win it but I missed a few shots by a couple of inches. That can happen.

"I think I showed I'm not just a counter-puncher. I was the aggressor for much of the match, hitting a lot of winners, and although I was making some unforced errors, that's what you have to do against him.

"And (I learned) in grand slams over five sets I can play close to one of the best players in the world."

The meeting on the Rod Laver Arena didn't finish until nearly 2am but Murray enjoyed the special buzz at Melbourne Park.

He said: "I love the atmosphere, the crowd is, (laughing) they were a little bit drunk towards the end. It's fun to play in that kind of atmosphere, and against someone like Nadal who's a shot maker - I think we hit some big shots."

He added: "I don't think I've ever played in a match as big as that. The Andy Roddick match at Wimbledon was a little different, but last night I think everyone was expecting it to be probably the best match of the tournament so far and I think it lived up to that."

Nadal has described his battle with Murray as one of the most memorable of his career.

He said: "Andy is one of the top players in the world right now. He's going to have chances to win Wimbledon, the Australian and US Opens and Roland Garros too because he plays well on all surfaces.

"I think this will be one of the matches I will remember most from my career. Andy's level was unbelievable."

The Spaniard also praised Murray's on-court tactics.

"He's very smart on the court. He changes his game all the time," Nadal added.

"He served very well as he combined long shots with short ones all the time."

TODAY'S RESULTS Men's Singles Quarter-final: (6) Andy Roddick (USA) bt Mardy Fish (USA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Women's Singles Quarter-finals: Serena Williams (USA) bt (16) Shahar Peer (Isr) 3-6, 6-2, 8-6.