Wimbledon: The eternally young Roger Federer is right in the middle of the title fight
On Tuesday, eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer joins the third major of the year. In good shape. And with a good draw.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jul 01, 2019, 07:56 pm
By Jörg Allmeroth from London
It was a quiet hour during the tournament week in Halle when Roger Federer was amazed a few times by Roger Federer. The face-to-face conversation was already about the upcoming Wimbledon tournament, and Federer was surprised that he was still at the forefront in the cup fight - in the middle of it and not only in it: “I'm almost 38 years old and I'm still playing for the big titles, ”said Federer,“ is not that crazy. I never would have thought it possible. "And then Federer was also surprised that he was already so old, 37 years old, almost 38, on course forty:" The years have passed, it is incredible, "says Federer," I actually feel younger, the number seems somehow wrong to me. "But then he added with a smile:" Unless a big tournament is just over. Then I can already feel the bones, then I need my time to relax. "
Now a big tournament has come again. The biggest tournament ever. The biggest tournament for Federer anyway. Wimbledon has also played fate in his career, it shaped, changed the way of his tennis life. And, above all, made him who he is. The defining face of tennis, the larger-than-life patron of the scene, the ruler of the blades, the lawn king. "Wimbledon was almost always good to me," says Federer, who first attracted attention 21 years ago when he won the junior tournament. He was a very different character at the time, hot-blooded, sometimes sometimes angry and angry, he won as a wild fellow.
Federer, Djokovic, Nadal determine the course of things
Federer revealed in 2001 that something big could become of him when he ended the reign of seven-time winner Pete Sampras, a defining moment for Federer, but also for world tennis. Federer still needed a detour of 24 challenging months with crises and setbacks, but in 2003 he won the first of his eight trophies at Wimbledon. The age of the few, all-shining superstars had begun. With him for a long time at the top, but then also with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in management positions and in a winning pose. Almost nothing has changed until today. Federer and Co. continue to determine the course of events when the Grand Slam titles are awarded. Whole generations have been looking in vain for the magic formula of how this dominance can be cracked, even the youngsters who are just coming up.
Of course, Federer is again one of the top betting favorites. He came from Halle with the recommendation of the tournament victory, which once again showed what distinguishes him, but also the other honorable gentlemen at the top: the constant modernization of his own style and game, the hard work ethic, the extremely professional and top-class environment . "I was always open to new things, I was curious and changed when I needed to," says Federer, "if I were to play Wimbledon like I did ten years ago, I would hardly have any chances." In the grass pitches, the late Federer's greater aggressiveness and aggressiveness was noticeable, something that had largely grown out of the alliance with the legendary Swedish attacker Stefan Edberg.
# BETATHOMEWI #
Kick off against Lloyd Harris
Federer will continue to seek his salvation in the forward urge at the Open English Championships of 2019 as a man from the Attack department - initially in the opening match against the South African Lloyd Harris. "I have to determine the game, look for the decision. Waiting doesn't count, ”says Federer. So he also played in Halle, with his tenth title there. So in the end he always played when he was successful. He has won three trophies this year, 102 in total. "I just feel so fresh and good that I always make up my mind when I go to a tournament," says Federer, "of course also in Wimbledon." Or: Especially in Wimbledon.