(AP) — WIMBLEDON, England — At Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Roger Federer has received numerous standing ovations. However, none of them compare to this one. This was not a celebration, and it did not occur at the conclusion of the game.
Instead, it felt more like a “thank you” or — just in case — a “goodbye” as it delayed the start of what turned out to be the final game of his quarterfinal loss. Federer later admitted that he was unsure whether he would return.
On Wednesday, Federer, an eight-time champion at the All England Club, lost 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 to 14th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, a lopsided finale to Federer’s 22nd appearance in the tournament.
When asked if it was also his last appearance here, he said, “I don’t know.” I honestly have no idea. I need to reorganize.”
In response to the question of whether he plans to retire soon, he stated, “No, I hope not.” Of course, the goal is to play.”
When Federer came to the baseline to serve despite losing 5-0 in the third set, hundreds of spectators in the stadium applauded and cheered, some even rising to their feet.
It was over quickly, Roger Federer’s third shutout set in 429 career Grand Slam matches; the other two occurred at the French Open.
“Obviously, you can feel that you’re not coming back from it,” Federer remarked in his news conference, speaking calmly and without showing any emotion. “Obviously, I’m not used to being in that kind of circumstance. Especially not in this place. “
Hurkacz, a 24-year-old Pole who has referred to Federer as his idol, was questioned if he could have predicted this outcome.
He said, “Probably not.”
Nonetheless, this was not the Federer that the world is accustomed to seeing. In 2020, he had two procedures on his right knee. He had already played eight matches this season when he arrived at Wimbledon.
When you consider that Federer will turn 40 on Aug. 8, it might be too much to expect him to make it to the final weekend, even if it is a tournament he has won more than any other man and is played on a surface he excels at, grass.
He was never able to recapture the serving and shot-making prowess that helped him win 20 Grand Slam titles, tying Rafael Nadal for the most in men’s tennis.
“I’m actually quite delighted I made it this far and I was able to play Wimbledon at the level that I did after everything that happened,” Federer said, adding that he hasn’t decided whether or not to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. “Of course, I’d like to play (Wimbledon) again, but you never know what’s around the corner at my age.”
Hurkacz will face No. 7 Matteo Berrettini of Italy in the semifinals on Friday, after Berrettini defeated No. 16 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to reach his second major semifinal.
Hurkacz had never advanced past the third round of a Slam before.
Novak Djokovic faces No. 10 Denis Shapovalov in the other half of the draw’s semifinal on Friday.
Djokovic lost three successive games to Marton Fucsovics, the 48th-ranked player in the world, after jumping out to a 5-0 lead at the start of the match on Wednesday. I also squandered five set points in the process. Soon after, Djokovic regained his composure and defeated Fucsovics 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his 10th All England Club semifinal and 41st at a Grand Slam.
This allowed the 34-year-old Serbian to continue his quest for a sixth Wimbledon title — and third in a row — as well as a 20th major title.
There’s also this: Djokovic is 19-0 in majors this season, on his way to become the first player to win a calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. In February, Djokovic won the Australian Open, and in June, he won the French Open.
“I’m not on the lookout for anyone,” says the narrator “According to Djokovic. “I’m forging my own road and journey, creating my own history.”
Shapovalov defeated Russia’s No. 25 Karen Khachanov 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 before meeting Djokovic.
Shapovalov, a 22-year-old left-handed pitcher from Canada, believes he has the game to beat him.
Hurkacz appeared to be very at ease on this new stage. He had three times as many winners (36) as unforced errors (12), indicating that he was in top form.
“Of course, I was a little jittery. Playing against Roger in a Grand Slam quarterfinal is a huge deal for me, “Hurkacz explained. “However, I was attempting to maintain as much calm as possible.”
With a 3-0 lead in the second set, Federer appeared to be making progress.
Federer reflected afterward, “I’ve got to find a way to win it, somehow.”
Hurkacz, on the other hand, made no concessions.
Hurkacz, undeterred by the setting, stakes, opponent, or almost-uniformly-for-Federer crowd, won four of the next five games to tie the match at 4-all, breaking with a stinging forehand return of a 101 mph serve that drew a netted backhand.
In the tiebreaker, loud chanting of “Let’s go, Roger!” preceded the game. It was more of the same, with Hurkacz hitting his spots and Federer floundering.
Federer described the match as “brutal.”
On one of his forays to the net, he lost his footing and missed a straightforward volley.
The third set flew by in the blink of an eye. Federer collected his luggage and raced out toward the locker room with a wave and a thumbs-up after missing a forehand wide to close things off.
“Now that that’s out of the way, you just have to rethink everything.” You must sit down and discuss it: What went well? What didn’t go as planned? What happened to the body? What happened to the knee? “Where has the mind gone?” Federer will meet with his two coaches and other members of his staff, according to him. “It was a challenge for me, as you can see.”
Reference:https://www.dailyunion.com/sports/national/8-time-wimbledon-champ-roger-federer-unsure-if-hell-be-back/article_0f9fb262-6b04-5dd3-9807-b3513b3eb854.html
