Wimbledon, England
As much as you adore Roger Federer and believe he’s the finest tennis player in history, admit it: You’re surprised, maybe even stunned at his season this year. It’s okay, don’t feel guilty. You’re not weak or foolish or cynical. You’re normal. What would anybody expect when no one has done this before? Federer, age 35, is now 31-2 this year with titles at the Australian Open and now Wimbledon, an absurd record that no one predicted—not even Federer himself. He’s playing younger and fresher than he ever has in his career. This version of Federer, improbably, is the best one yet.
At Wimbledon on Sunday, Federer dismantled the blister-hobbled 28-year-old, Marin Cilic, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in 101 minutes. Federer whipped his backhand for winners, and volleys too. He moved his feet like he did 10 years ago, when he was 25 and seemingly at his best. Federer had one moment of danger in the first set, when he trailed 30-40 on his serve. He recovered, broke serve in the next game and never looked back. The final game was a coronation, not a challenge. He finished the match with an ace and raised his hands. Federer, who cried a little after winning, said not even he can believe how his season has gone so far.
“I knew I could do great again maybe one day, but not at this level,” Federer said. “So I guess you would have laughed, too, if I told you I was going to win two Slams this year. People wouldn’t believe me if I said that. I also didn’t believe that I was going to win two this year.”
The last time Federer won two Grand Slams in a season? The year 2009, back when he was 27 years old and won both the French Open and Wimbledon.
As for the 6’6” Cilic, have sympathy. During the match he briefly cried, his head covered in towel, because he suffered from a blister on his foot. He said the pain developed in the tournament’s semifinals, and despite help from physios leading up the final he couldn’t recover. He was hurt enough to quit, but continued out of respect for Federer and the fans.
“Every time I had to do a reaction fast, fast change of movement, I was unable to do that,” Cilic said. “I just felt it was really bad luck.”
Bad luck, all of it, but that probably wouldn’t have mattered with the way Federer has been playing. He didn’t lose a set the entire tournament, the first time he’s ever done that at Wimbledon. Only one other man, Bjorn Borg, has been as dominant at Wimbledon since the Open era began in 1968. At Wimbledon, Federer is the oldest male winner in the Open era. And he has now won five overall titles this year, the most on the tour.
Federer sat with a few tears after his victory, clearly soaking in an emotional and extraordinary season.
“It’s magical, I can’t believe it yet,” he told the crowd. “I always believed I could come back and do it again, and if you believe you can go really far in your life.” Federer’s wife, Mirka, and their children watched him speak from the stands, where they had seen history made. Federer has now won Wimbledon eight times, the most ever by a man.
What’s better about Federer’s game these days, compared to the past? Everything. It seems impossible, I know, but time and again he shows he has more depth nowadays. His backhand return of serve never used to be a weapon. His volleys were once less consistent. His serve speed and style hasn’t changed, but his accuracy is as good or better than before. The forehand is just as deadly, too: He hits it as hard as ever, and seems to mishit less—another result from his slightly larger racket. The most important element, though, is Federer’s desire.
“I believed, and really hoped that I could actually maybe really do it, you know, to make it real,” he said. “So I put in a lot of work, and it paid off.”
If you think this is the best method for other pros, too, think again: It’s rare—almost never—that playing less tennis gives a player better results. Federer is an exception in every way, and seemingly capable of chasing titles for perhaps a few years or more. The best part: We’re going to find out, because he’s still hungry enough—and in love enough—to keep going.
“I love playing the big stages still,” Federer said. “I don’t mind the practice. I don’t mind the travel. Because I’m playing a little less, I actually get more time in return. I feel like I’m working part-time these days almost, which is a great feeling.”
It’s inspiring, too.
