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A sense of destiny helps Federer overcome twin test
Wimboldon, July 09 (CMC) Roger Federer admitted to having felt a sense of destiny as he won the most famous trophy in tennis yesterday (Sunday). After taking his 17th career grand slam, his seventh Wimbledon title and guaranteeing he will break Pete Sampras's 12-year-old record for the most weeks spent at world No?1 - all in a single day - he could be excused the sentimentality.
"From the get-go I really felt I'm supposed to play well here," he said. "You know I feel better here for some reason. I don't know why. But it's very unique and special in many ways, this tournament. Over the years I've been able to keep up a great run." Federer's name, however, had not been inscribed on the Wimbledon honours board for three years.
Indeed, since winning the 2010 Australian Open, six months after the birth of his twin daughters, Federer had not triumphed at a major.
It prompted many to write him off in favour of a new world order headed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. That Wimbledon should have been the place he proved the doubters wrong was as fitting for him as his famous white cardigan.
"I see it more as a stepping stone, a period I have to go through as well," he said. "That I'm going to win 90 per cent of my matches throughout the year, it's impossible every single year. So you're always going to go through ups and downs.
"People forget sometimes I do have twin girls. That has had a massive impact on my life. I think it's helped my game more than anything because I think I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life right now, and [for] a long time now. But to be able to juggle everything has been a challenge. I think you learn from mistakes."
The Swiss revealed how he had received the support of another perennial champion, golf's Tiger Woods. "He was very pumped up these last couple days, for me. He was very supportive. It's nice, when other greats like this do believe in me. They push me further, even in the rain delay, when they cheer you on. I wish him the best as well. It feels great, you know, to receive so much support from such great athletes."
Federer did save some words for his vanquished opponent, Andy Murray, who yesterday became the first British man to appear in a Wimbledon singles final since Bunny Austin in 1938.
"I think he's done so, so well," said Federer. "I see what he goes through on a daily basis on tour. At Wimbledon I think he handles it perfectly.
"Grand slams I think are what you guys are focusing on the most. I really do believe deep down in me he will win grand slams, not just one.
"Things just didn't quite turn out for him in the final. But today I'm sure he got another step closer to a grand slam title. I believe he's going to win one soon."
Andy Murray choked back the tears after losing to an opponent he regards as "one of the greatest athletes of all time".
This was the first Wimbledon final in 74 years to have featured a British man and although Murray succumbed - losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 - he pushed Roger Federer all the way, bringing the Centre Court crowd to its feet with his courage.
"I'm getting closer," were the only words Murray could utter before his emotions overcame him in front of almost 15,000 on Centre Court and millions of television viewers. The Scot has often been criticised for his perceived coldness but after his overwhelming effort here his reputation as an unemotional automaton seemed entirely misplaced.
"Can I just take a second," he asked his interviewer as he pinched his eyes in an effort to regain composure. "Right, I'm going to try this and it's not going to be easy," he said. But then he broke down like his partner, Kim Sears, in the players' gallery.
Having eventually congratulated Federer on his seventh Wimbledon title - equalling Pete Sampras's record - Murray thanked the nation and Wimbledon tennis fans for their support over the last two weeks.
"Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon and how tough it is," he said. "It's not the people watching, they make it so much easier to play. The support's been incredible. So, thank you." Murray's path to the final had unexpectedly been cleared after Rafael Nadal lost in the second round, which prompted many to say this would be his best chance to win a Grand Slam.
"Well, this chance is gone," he said. "I can't take today's match back, obviously. But was it my best chance? I don't know. It was [my] first time being in a [Wimbledon] final.
"You know, it was good to get there. I lost to a guy that's now won this tournament seven times and is No. 1 in the world. So if that's your best chance, then... we're talking about one of the greatest athletes of all time here, like we're saying. Got to put it in context a little bit."
A sense of destiny helps Federer overcome twin test
Clean Media TodayWimboldon, July 09 (CMC) Roger Federer admitted to having felt a sense of destiny as he won the most famous trophy in tennis yesterday (Sunday). After taking his 17th career grand slam, his seventh Wimbledon title and guaranteeing he will break Pete Sampras's 12-year-old record for the most weeks spent at world No?1 - all in a single day - he could be excused the sentimentality.
"From the get-go I really felt I'm supposed to play well here," he said. "You know I feel better here for some reason. I don't know why. But it's very unique and special in many ways, this tournament. Over the years I've been able to keep up a great run." Federer's name, however, had not been inscribed on the Wimbledon honours board for three years.
Indeed, since winning the 2010 Australian Open, six months after the birth of his twin daughters, Federer had not triumphed at a major.
It prompted many to write him off in favour of a new world order headed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. That Wimbledon should have been the place he proved the doubters wrong was as fitting for him as his famous white cardigan.
"I see it more as a stepping stone, a period I have to go through as well," he said. "That I'm going to win 90 per cent of my matches throughout the year, it's impossible every single year. So you're always going to go through ups and downs.
"People forget sometimes I do have twin girls. That has had a massive impact on my life. I think it's helped my game more than anything because I think I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life right now, and [for] a long time now. But to be able to juggle everything has been a challenge. I think you learn from mistakes."
The Swiss revealed how he had received the support of another perennial champion, golf's Tiger Woods. "He was very pumped up these last couple days, for me. He was very supportive. It's nice, when other greats like this do believe in me. They push me further, even in the rain delay, when they cheer you on. I wish him the best as well. It feels great, you know, to receive so much support from such great athletes."
Federer did save some words for his vanquished opponent, Andy Murray, who yesterday became the first British man to appear in a Wimbledon singles final since Bunny Austin in 1938.
"I think he's done so, so well," said Federer. "I see what he goes through on a daily basis on tour. At Wimbledon I think he handles it perfectly.
"Grand slams I think are what you guys are focusing on the most. I really do believe deep down in me he will win grand slams, not just one.
"Things just didn't quite turn out for him in the final. But today I'm sure he got another step closer to a grand slam title. I believe he's going to win one soon."
Andy Murray choked back the tears after losing to an opponent he regards as "one of the greatest athletes of all time".
This was the first Wimbledon final in 74 years to have featured a British man and although Murray succumbed - losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 - he pushed Roger Federer all the way, bringing the Centre Court crowd to its feet with his courage.
"I'm getting closer," were the only words Murray could utter before his emotions overcame him in front of almost 15,000 on Centre Court and millions of television viewers. The Scot has often been criticised for his perceived coldness but after his overwhelming effort here his reputation as an unemotional automaton seemed entirely misplaced.
"Can I just take a second," he asked his interviewer as he pinched his eyes in an effort to regain composure. "Right, I'm going to try this and it's not going to be easy," he said. But then he broke down like his partner, Kim Sears, in the players' gallery.
Having eventually congratulated Federer on his seventh Wimbledon title - equalling Pete Sampras's record - Murray thanked the nation and Wimbledon tennis fans for their support over the last two weeks.
"Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon and how tough it is," he said. "It's not the people watching, they make it so much easier to play. The support's been incredible. So, thank you." Murray's path to the final had unexpectedly been cleared after Rafael Nadal lost in the second round, which prompted many to say this would be his best chance to win a Grand Slam.
"Well, this chance is gone," he said. "I can't take today's match back, obviously. But was it my best chance? I don't know. It was [my] first time being in a [Wimbledon] final.
"You know, it was good to get there. I lost to a guy that's now won this tournament seven times and is No. 1 in the world. So if that's your best chance, then... we're talking about one of the greatest athletes of all time here, like we're saying. Got to put it in context a little bit."
Federer is the real King of Lawn!
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