Roger Federer is undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis players in history. With 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 8 Wimbledon titles, Federer has cemented his place in the pantheon of tennis greats.
On July 16, 2017, Federer added yet another chapter to his storied career by winning his eighth Wimbledon title, defeating Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in the final.
Federer’s road to the final was relatively smooth, with straight-set victories over Alexandr Dolgopolov, Dusan Lajovic, Mischa Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tomas Berdych.
In the final, Federer faced off against Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and a player who had defeated him in the quarterfinals of the 2014 US Open.
But Federer was in sublime form, hitting winners and dictating play from the outset. Cilic, by contrast, seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and struggled with his serve, which had been a weapon throughout the tournament.
Federer broke Cilic’s serve in the first game of the match and never looked back. He dominated with his serve, winning 82% of points on his first serve and 63% on his second serve. He also hit 23 aces, including several serve-and-volley winners that left Cilic flat-footed.
Cilic, for his part, struggled to find his rhythm on his serve. He had only three aces in the match and served two double faults in the first game, which set the tone for the rest of the match.
Federer’s serve-and-volley tactics were also highly effective, with the Swiss great winning 81% of points when he came to net.
But it was not just Federer’s serve that proved too much for Cilic. Federer’s groundstrokes were also on point, hitting 35 winners in the match compared to Cilic’s 16.
Federer’s backhand, which had been a weakness at times in his career, was particularly impressive. He hit several backhand winners, including a stunning cross-court winner on break point in the third set that all but sealed his victory.
Federer’s combination of power, precision, and finesse was simply too much for Cilic to handle. The Croatian was reduced to hitting defensive shots and hoping for errors from Federer, which never materialized.
In the end, Federer secured his eighth Wimbledon title with a routine hold of serve, capping off a dominant performance that showcased all of his skills as a tennis player.
The victory was Federer’s 19th Grand Slam title overall, moving him four clear of his nearest rival, Rafael Nadal. It was also his second Grand Slam title of 2017, following his victory at the Australian Open earlier in the year.
Federer’s resurgence in 2017 is all the more remarkable given that he missed most of 2016 with a knee injury. Many had predicted that his best days were behind him, but the Swiss legend has proven that he is still at the top of his game.
Indeed, Federer’s performance at Wimbledon 2017 was nothing short of masterful. He played with supreme confidence and control, never letting the occasion or his opponent get the better of him.
The victory was a testament to Federer’s longevity, his skill, and his unparalleled mental toughness. It was also a reminder that, even at 35 years old, he is still a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
As for what the future holds for Federer, only time will tell. But for now, he can bask in the glory of his latest Grand Slam triumph, secure in the knowledge that he has cemented his place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.