While the rain tumbled down outside,cancelling all but a handful of matches played undercover,the 20-time grand slam champion received a long,loud and lavish ovation as he descended the steps of the Royal Box,where the King of SW19 sat next to a future queen. Having sobbed at many moments during his career,this time he kept his composure but appeared genuinely moved.
As he was announced to the 15,000-strong crowd as “the only man to win Wimbledon eight times” – a title he may have to share with his former rival Novak Djokovic come Sunday week – a video featuring the modern generation of players – Iga Swiatek,Ons Jabeur,Coco Gauff,Jessica Pegula,Taylor Fritz and Australian Alex de Minaur – paid homage.
“Roger is legend. He makes every shot look easy,” 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Jabeur said.
De Minaur spoke of Federer’s “masterful elegance on a tennis court.” Fritz called him an “inspiration,” Gauff and “icon,” and current women’s No.1,Swiatek,called him a “really special player.”
Most were not long out of nappies when Federer,now 41,beat Australian Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) in 2003.
After coming into the final on the back of five-set wins over then world No.1 Andre Agassi and Germany’s Alexander Popp,Philippoussis lost the first set in a tie-break he double-faulted at a crucial point. He lost his serve twice in the second set before recovering to force the third to another tie-break. The Melburnian saved two match points on his serve but hit Federer’s next serve into the net to give the Swiss the win.