Federer was badly out-of-sorts as he lost in three sets to Djokovic

Federer, 26, lost at the tournament for the first time since 2005, ending a 19-match unbeaten run in the process.

He said: "I've created a monster that I need to win every tournament - still, the semi-finals is not bad.

"I think Novak managed to win the more important points today, it was a bit unfortunate for me I guess."

From the spirit, the way I fought, the way I tried, it's all I could give Roger Federer

Federer, who has won 12 Grand Slams, must now wait to see if he can close in on Pete Sampras' record haul of 14, either in the French Open in May, or more realistically Wimbledon the following month.

"It depends a lot on day form, you can't always play your best," added the Swiss. "There is no doubt I have played better before.

"It's not easy coming out every week trying to win. You'll always run into fellow top-10 players or other guys who are on a streak or on a hot run or surprise you.

"That's the difficulty about tennis. I've had it for a long, long time. I've had to deal with all sort of different streaks. I didn't feel particular pressure at all tonight, no."

Federer admitted he was far from his best in the Rod Laver Arena, but said he gave everything he had to try and get back into the match.

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"There's some sort of a disappointment. But from the spirit, the way I fought, the way I tried, it's all I could give," he said.

"When you give 100% you're sort of happy with your performance. It can't always go your way. I know that.

"I've won, many, many times when I didn't expect myself to win. So tonight's one of those nights where you're a little bit disappointed.