Roger Federer: "I missed an incredible opportunity"
So close yet so far. Roger Federer already had two "championship points" in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic , but ultimately had to surrender the world number one from Serbia by a narrow margin.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jul 15, 2019, 03:54 pm
8: 7 - Ace to 40:15. Two match balls for Roger Federer . Two ways to immortalize yourself in the history books. The Swiss missed a blow to add a 21st Grand Slam title to his already incredible career. The majority of the audience is looking forward to finally letting the pent-up emotions run free and celebrating with Federer his ninth Wimbledon triumph.
But everything turns out differently. Novak Djokovic fends off the two match balls, shortly thereafter manages the rebreak to 8: 8 and exactly 44 minutes later he can call himself the Wimbledon champion for the fifth time. 7: 6 (5), 1: 6, 7: 6 (4), 4: 6 and 13:12 (3) are the devastating numbers from Federer's point of view, but the whole story is far from over.
Federer loses as a better player
The 37-year-old from Basel made 14 points more than Djokovic, and he also beat 94:54 significantly more winners than his Serbian opponent. Federer also had a clear lead in ace and breakball statistics, but in the end the almost indestructible industry leader from Belgrade triumphed.
"I feel like I've missed an incredible opportunity. I can't believe it," said Federer at the final press conference, who was visibly depressed. "One stroke, I think," answered the third in the world rankings when asked what he was missing for his first major title since the 2018 Australian Open.
Federer was the better tennis player this Sunday afternoon in southwestern London. Ultimately, however, only Novak Djokovic was allowed to enjoy. Federer is not afraid that Djokovic or Nadal will soon catch up with the number of Grand Slam victories: "You can't protect everything anyway."
Federer leaves out tournament in Montreal
Rather, the 37-year-old hurt the fact that he had missed the chance for another triumph in the All England Club. Because the ravages of time, Federer also knows, gnaws at the very best. "It is very difficult to have had these chances," said the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
I am strong in going on.
Roger Federer
Federer will now forego a start at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal, for the Swiss it will only continue at one of his favorite events in Cincinnati from August 11 - a nearly one-month break that the eight-time Wimbledon winner after the the most bitter defeat in his career.
"I am very strong in going on because I don't want to be depressed by a great tennis match," Federer says, looking to the future with optimism. Like after his lost final in 2008 against Rafael Nadal, he would also look back on this final and think that the game was not that bad: But: "It hurts now - like every defeat here in Wimbledon."