He said; "I thought Andy played really well throughout the Australian Open and that he just got unlucky to meet Federer on a really good day.
"I think it's a real shame that he didn't win but I think he is likely to win a Grand Slam at some point soon.
"I do really like Roger Federer but I really want Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam as it will be really good for British tennis.
"And if he can do it, then why can't I?"
West, who first started playing tennis at six and currently trains at Tennis Midlands, admits his Centre Court debut is some way off but is one of many British juniors spurred on by Murray's recent success.
"I hope I've got the game to make it as a professional – I'd love to win a Grand Slam but out of all of them, I really want to win Wimbledon as it's in front of a home crowd," he added.
"I'm aiming to be a professional tennis player but if I don't make it, I'd still like to take tennis on as a career, whether that be through coaching or something else."
He has high hopes for 2010, following a successful year on the court.
"I've just been chosen for the International team so I'm really excited. My first tournament is in April, so I've got quite a lot of time to get more training in. I really want to do well at that," he said.
"I've got quite a few more tournaments before we get to play at international level, it's a busy time. I'm playing really well at the moment so hopefully I will get some good results. My targets for this year are just to try to improve.
"I'd like to get in to the older kids' tournaments, about a year above me, to try to do well in them and try to get to get close to some of the older and possibly better players."
The LTA have built on a strong youth development programme and continue to identity potential stars like West at early age through their Talent ID scheme.
With initiatives like the AEGON FutureStars programme, the future of British Tennis looks bright.
For juniors like West, watching these players and seeing their passion for the game is already fuelling the ambition of a new generation of British talent to make it on the big stage.
(reproduced courtesy of the Nottingham Evening Post)