London (AFP) – AFP Sport looks at Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles ahead of the 2018 tournament which gets underway at the All England Club on Monday:
2003
bt Mark Philippoussis (AUS) 7-6, 6-2, 7-6
— Federer wins his first Wimbledon and maiden Grand Slam title after previously failing to get beyond the quarter-finals at any major.
“It was a big relief because there was pressure from all sides, especially from myself, to do better in Slams,” said the 21-year-old before dedicating the win to former coach Peter Carter who died in a car crash in South Africa earlier in the year.
“Peter was one of the most important people in my career. I guess we would have had a big party if he had been here. I hope he saw it from somewhere.”
2004
bt Andy Roddick (USA) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4
— Federer successfully defends his title but only after regrouping in two rain breaks which stalled Roddick’s momentum.
“Roger just played too good today. I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub,” said Roddick.
2005
bt Andy Roddick (USA) 6-2, 7-6, 6-4
— Federer joins Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as the only men to win three successive Wimbledon titles.
“It’s a pity for Andy but I really did play my best. To win for a third time is very special,” says the champion.
2006
bt Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3
— Federer seals his eighth Slam title and stretches his winning grasscourt streak to 48 matches. His win also ends a five-match losing run against his greatest rival.
“To win four is out of this world — I’ll come back and try for a fifth.”
2007
bt Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2
— The Swiss star wins an epic final in three hours and 45 minutes. It is his 54th consecutive victory on grass with a fifth successive Wimbledon title equalling the record set by Borg.
“Each one is special but to play a champion like Rafa, it means a lot,” said Federer.
2009
bt Andy Roddick (USA) 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14
— One year after losing the 2008 final to Nadal in one of the finest championship matches ever played at the tournament, Federer wins a record 15th Grand Slam in another classic which lasts 4 hours and 16 minutes. Federer is only the third player to win six Wimbledon championships after Pete Sampras and William Renshaw.
“Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off,” said Roddick as Federer goes past the American’s record for Slam titles.
2012
bt Andy Murray (GBR) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
— A seventh Wimbledon title for Federer and 17th major as Murray, bidding to become the first British male winner of a Slam title since Fred Perry in 1936, is left in tears. Federer also reclaims the world number one spot.
“I think I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life right now,” said Federer.
2017
bt Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
— Federer wins a record eighth Wimbledon title, 19th Slam and becomes the tournament’s oldest champion with a straight-sets victory over Cilic.
However, the Swiss superstar’s 11th Wimbledon final, and 29th at the majors, will also be remembered for the moving sight of the popular Cilic breaking down in tears after slipping 3-0 behind in the second set.
The 2014 US Open champion sobbed inconsolably and buried his head in his towel as his title dream slipped away.
He had his left foot taped at the end of the second set but it was in vain as Federer became the first player since Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set.
“It’s disbelief I can achieve such heights. I wasn’t sure I would ever be here in another final,” said 35-year-old Federer.
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