Wimbledon: Zen master Federer on the way to the ninth title?
The number two demands the number one: In the final of Wimbledon 2019 there is a clash between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic .
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jul 13, 2019, 09:04 pm
By Jörg Allmeroth from London
Leo and Lenny Federer had also made up a little something for their father. Federer had just arrived in the catacombs of Center Court as the proud winner of the evergreen classic with Rafael Nadal, when the five-year-old twin sons started a familiar, if not entirely fitting song. The kids sang "Happy Birthday" to the delight of Federer and his team - it didn't matter in any way, Federer will only be 38 on August 8, but this Friday in Wimbledon was always a holiday and holiday. "You only know this song with Happy," smiled Federer afterwards, "it was touching and beautiful."
It was the exhilarating musical rounding off of a tennis performance that Federer will remember very well - but which also does not represent the end of his mission at these Open English Championships in 2019. If everything is not wrong, the bitter fight for the semi-final victory against Nadal, the old rival, was just a foretaste of what is coming - the last, even more difficult case for two, the final against Novak Djokovic, the defending champion. "I know what to expect. It is not without reason that he is in first place. He always had these great moments, especially at the Grand Slams, ”says Federer about his Serbian opponent.
John McEnroe sees Novak Djokovic in front
The number one player had beaten tough Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday in the second semifinals, which was somewhat under the radar, Djokovic has not really got into a sweat and fear in the course of the tournament. For the majority of the professional world, he, the Djoker, is also the favorite in the ultimate match of the tournament, in the cup fight. "He won't give Federer as much space and time to develop his class," said ex-superstar John McEnroe. "Federer will have to process a lot more balls. I see Djokovic at the front. ”England's former ace Tim Henman also tapped Djokovic's finish as a champion:“ Perhaps also because Federer invested so much energy and emotion in the duel with Nadal. ”However, the three-time king of the law Boris Becker countered: “As good as in this tournament, especially against Nadal, Federer has not played on grass for a long time. I trust him to do everything. "
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The naked figures, the data material that the statisticians disseminate, speak against Federer. In a direct comparison with Djokovic he is 22:25 behind, in the duels 1: 2. In 2012 he beat the Serb on the way to the semi-final title, it is also the last victory against Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament. In 2014 and 2015 Federer lost the finals against Djokovic here on Church Road. In order to win the ninth title on the sacred tennis green, Federer has to do something he has not yet succeeded in: conquering Nadal and Djokovic in a Grand Slam at the same time. “One time is always the first time,” said Federer, “all statistics are uninteresting on Sunday anyway. What matters is this day. The shape, the nerves, the overall package that you put on the pitch. "
Roger Federer lives his dream
Federer convinced against Nadal as an ice-cold, razor-sharp champion. The maestro looked like a Zen master sunk in his job, rarely did he have the slightest emotion. At the Big Points, he demonstrated his age-old and timeless class. The fifteen years since his first triumph on the famous Center Court seemed to have passed him without trace. “Federer is Federer. I am not surprised at anything with him, "said Djokovic," I assume that it will be an epic fight again. "
Federer is the second-oldest Grand Slam finalist on Sunday - after Australian Ken Rosewall, who was on the grass in Wimbledon in 1974 at the age of 39 and 246 days. However, none other than Federer could be more surprised by the fact that he is still struggling for the biggest grand prizes in his sport, especially in his green paradise Wimbledon, where he reached the final for the fifth time beyond the thirties. “Anyone who would have told me that ten years ago,” said Federer, “would have declared him crazy. I am currently living my own dream. "
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