Roger Federer crashed out of Wimbledon on Wednesday, losing in the quarter-finals to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. With his 40th birthday in ju...
Roger Federer crashed out of Wimbledon on Wednesday, losing in the quarter-finals to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
With his 40th birthday in just five weeks’ time, there will be doubts over his future in a sport where he is an eight-time Wimbledon winner and 20-time Grand Slam champion.
We take a look back at some of the Swiss star’s joyous Wimbledon highs and heartbreaking lows since his first visit to the All England Club in 1999.
2001 last 16 v Pete Sampras
Federer, just 19, faced childhood hero and seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras on Centre Court and announced himself as a superstar in the making with a 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 victory.
“There are a lot of young guys coming up, but Roger is a bit extra-special,” said Sampras who had been on a 31-win streak at the tournament.
“It feels unbelievable, of course,” said Federer who was to lose in the quarter-finals to Britain’s Tim Henman.
2002 1st rd v Mario Ancic
Federer came down to earth with a bump 12 months later, losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 to Croatian qualifier Mario Ancic, ranked at 154 and dubbed ‘Baby Goran’ after compatriot and defending champion Goran Ivanisevic.
“I didn’t have any tactics, I was...
