Melbourne: Roger Federer was quick to dismiss talk of a changing of the guard in men's tennis after his Australian Open title defence was derailed by an imperious Novak Djokovic in their semi-final yesterday.
The result means that for the first time in eight years, Federer does not hold a major title, and Sunday's final will be the first Slam decider in three years not to feature Federer or world No 1 Rafael Nadal.
An injury-affected Nadal bowed out to Spanish countryman David Ferrer on Wednesday, while Federer suffered his first straight-set Grand Slam defeat since the 2008 French Open.
Nadal and Federer have shared every major since 2006, apart from Djokovic's 2008 Australian Open win and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro's victory at the 2009 US Open.
However, 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer, now 29, had a blunt answer when asked whether the era of dominance was over.
"They say that very quickly," he said. "Let's talk in six months again." Federer, who hasn't made a major final since winning last year's Australian Open, added that it "was not the end in any way".
He said he was simply outplayed by Djokovic and remained confident in his own game, having won three of his last four tournaments in 2010 and his season-opener in Doha.
"I don't think tonight was a bad match," he said. "I can move on from this with a good mindset, to be honest. I don't feel like I have physical issues or I'm not playing the right way or whatever."
Djokovic said talk of a new guard was premature, but added that "things are changing" at the top of men's tennis.
"They've been very dominant and just a great example of champions," Djokovic said.
"It was really hard to challenge them, especially in the big events where they play their best tennis. Now these things are changing a little bit, so from that perspective it's good for the sport."
