Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title and became the tournament’s oldest champion Sunday with a straight-sets victory over injury-hit Marin Cilic who dramatically broke down in tears midway through the final.
Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 and at 35 is Wimbledon’s oldest men’s winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976.
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 seventh seeded Croatian, 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 Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set in the entire tournament.
“He’s a hero,” said Federer of his opponent as he received the trophy.
Twelve months ago, Federer was defeated in five sets in the semi-finals by Milos Raonic and promptly shut down his season to rest a knee injury.
“It’s disbelief I can achieve such heights. I wasn’t sure I would ever be here in another final after last year,” said Federer who turns 36 in three weeks’ time. “I had some tough ones in the finals, losing two against Novak (Djokovic). But I always believed. I kept on believing and dreaming I could get back. Here am I today with the eighth. It’s fantastic, if you keep believing you can go far in your life.”
Cilic, who had spent four and a half hours more than Federer getting to the final, said retiring with his injury was never an option.
“I never give up in a match. I gave it my best — it’s all I can do,” said Cilic who was still emotional at the trophy presentation. “I had an amazing journey here. I played the best tennis of my life. I really want to thank my team — they gave so much strength to me.”
