In a hilarious episode involving a very unhappy security agent, Swiss icon Roger Federer—one of the most recognized tennis players in history—was refused admittance to Wimbledon.
Roger Federer won his record eighth Wimbledon title by beating broken Marin Cilic in an anti-climactic final. The Swiss superstar claimed his 19th Grand Slam title at the age of 35 – and became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to lift the title here without dropping a set. But the Croat No.7 broke down in tears in his chair during the second set and needed treatment on blisters on his foot. Federer coasted to victory 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in only one hour and 41 minutes.
The 15,000 spectators on Center Court received less value for their money because they witnessed a coronation rather than a competition, but he still pockets another £2.2m to bring his on-court career earnings to nearly £82m. In the fourth game, Cilic forced the first break point after getting off to a strong start. However, Federer rallied brilliantly to win the second point at 2-2 as the Croat slipped, and he then hit a long forehand on the subsequent point before losing his service. The US Open winner from 2014 did not play in the match once more.
At 5-3, Federer created two set points with two vicious backhands; Cilic double-failed to give him the second. 36 minutes make up the first set. After breaking again to trail 2-0 in the second set, Cilic sobbed and covered his face with his towel while being attended to by a doctor, physiotherapist, and tournament referee at the changeover.
At that point, it was possible that a Grand Slam beset by injury withdrawals—two in a single day on Center Court on the opening Tuesday—would come to an inappropriate end. After 61 minutes, the Croat returned to thunderous ovation and maintained his serve, but he was still down two sets. At the conclusion of the match, he received extensive medical attention for blisters on his foot. Despite fighting at the very end, Cilic was unable to stop the Swiss, who used his eighth ace to earn his second match point.
Federer won his seventh Wimbledon title in 2012 – the five-year gap between titles is the longest since Jimmy Connors triumphed in 1974 and 1982
The new world No. 3, who made waves early in the season with his incredible victory at the Australian Open, is gaining ground on world No. 1 Andy Murray. Federer remarked, “It is magical, it’s too much really,” making him the oldest guy to win Wimbledon in the Open Era at 35 years and 342 days. Not losing a set, I can’t believe I’ve gotten to this point. “After last year, I wasn’t sure if I would be back here for another final. Despite suffering difficult defeats against Novak (Djokovic) in 2014 and 2015, I persisted in believing, and now I am back with my eighth victory. It’s amazing.”
The Swiss, who took the rest of last season off to recover from a knee injury after losing in the Wimbledon semi-final to Milos Raonic, added: “I have got to take more time off, give it another six months! But better than having the trophy and winning is being healthy. It feels great and I hope to be back next year.”
Speaking to Cilic, Federer said: “It is cruel sometimes. But Marin fought well and is a hero, so congratulations on a wonderful tournament.
“You should be really proud, this is such a special occasion, you had a wonderful tournament and sometimes you don’t feel great in the final.
“I hope we can play down the road some better ones.”
Cilic fought back more tears in his post-match interview.
He said: “I never give up in a match. I gave it my best – it’s all I can do.
“I had an amazing journey here. I played the best tennis of my life. I really want to thank my team – they gave so much strength to me.
“Of course, to all my fans in Croatia, it was really tough today. I gave it my all. I will hope I come back here another time.”