Federer feels energised despite Wimbledon semi-final defeat

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  • Roger Federer.

    Roger Federer insists that missing out on another Wimbledon title does not spell the end of his career as he walks away from the All England Club feeling more secure about his future in the game than he was coming into the tournament.

    The Swiss, who spent a large portion of 2016 dealing with injuries to his knee and his back, lost a close 6-3, 6-7(3), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 semi-final to sixth-seeded Milos Raonic on Friday.

    And while many considered this Wimbledon his last chance of capturing a major, particularly in the absence of Novak Djokovic, who lost in the third round, Federer says his goals never have and never will just rest on this event.

    “While I’m in the tournament, it’s a dream to win my eighth (Wimbledon title). It’s not my only reason why I play tennis, just to be clear, otherwise I’ll go in a freeze box now and come out before Wimbledon next year,” said Federer.

    “That’s not how we do it. We usually play 60 matches and we travel the world to try to achieve other things, as well. I know Wimbledon is important, but it’s not everything, everything. A lot of things that I’d like to achieve besides winning Wimbledon.

    “For me, the match against (Marin) Cilic (in the quarters) – the 10 sets I played the last two matches really gives me the belief that I’m much more ‑ how do you say ‑ match fit or tougher physically than I thought I was. I never thought I could do this before the tournament started.

    “Actually, it’s very encouraging for the season, hopefully for the rest of my career. Not that I was worried it was going to end somehow, but I was insecure coming into Wimbledon.

    “It’s been a great run for me here, I must say. I just hope with the slip I had in the fifth, I’m going to be fine tomorrow and beyond. I mean, curious in a weird way to find out what’s the deal now.”

    In the fourth game of the fifth set, Federer took a tumble as he tried to run sideways to cover the net and he immediately got some medical attention, mid-game, while facing a break point.

    The Swiss world No3 says he is still unsure how his body will react to that fall.

    He also had treatment on his right thigh during the match and later revealed it has been bothering him throughout the tournament.

    A reporter asked Federer if the way he soaked up the applause as he was walking off Centre Court implied this could be the last time he would be playing there.

    The 17-time major champion’s response was loud and clear.

    “That was not how I was looking at Centre Court. I was looking at Centre Court as in thank you for the crowd, thank you for the great feeling that you gave me throughout The Championships,” said Federer.

    “I was fortunate enough to play all my matches on Centre Court. I don’t take that for granted.

    “For me, it’s a respect towards Milos to wait for him. Like in the olden days, you walk off together, same time thank the crowd, then leave the stage for Milos really at the end.

    “That’s what I was going through, not thinking about this might be my last Wimbledon.

    “And, yes, I hope to be back on Centre Court, to be very clear for you.”

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