Even for a man who has turned back the clock many times before, they always say he would eventually run out of time. And in the case of Roger Federer, he may well have run his last lap on his beloved turf on Wednesday.
Of course, Federer likely will return to Wimbledon and Centre Court at least once more. As much as people wonder when he’ll retire, he has made no such announcement about it yet. And, seeing as he was good enough to win four matches this year, he’ll probably try coming back at least once more. Still, many people–fans and pundits alike–feel that with his age and level, this year was his last serious chance to make a deep run.
Roger Federer Loses 6-0 Set for the First Time in His Wimbledon Career
Federer was supplanted from his playground by the 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz. He was deservedly beaten by the charismatic Pole. Hurkacz won 6-3 7-6 6-0 in an hour and 51 minutes. That extraordinary final set lasted 29 minutes. And Federer failed to win a single game. It was the first time in his Wimbledon career that he had lost a set by the unthinkable scoreline of 6-0.
The last time Roger Federer lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon was…
Never. #Wimbledon
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 7, 2021
The only other time Federer lost a set 6-0 on grass was in 1999, at Queen’s Club.
Roger Federer had only been bageled once in the 21st century and as a top 100 player… until today. pic.twitter.com/dPa3E6ny4K
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 7, 2021
Has Federer Played His Last Match at Wimbledon?
The eight-time Wimbledon champion appeared set to mount a fightback after losing the first set 6-3. He broke in the second game of the second set and stormed to take a 4-1 lead. He was playing some crisp winners and getting a helping hand by Hurkacz’s complacency. But when the 24-year-old pushed the reset button, he returned back to basics. Hurkacz continued to keep the balls in play for as long as he was able to draw a certain error from Federer.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner was broken back, and Hurkacz went on to force a tiebreak. Federer was the protagonist of his own downfall. First, he netted an easy put-away winner with his forehand on the open court at 2-3. Then, he lost his footing when he seemed certain to fire a smash winner at 3-4. Those two peculiar misses gave a window of opportunity to the lanky Pole. He closed out the set and never looked in danger.
When Federer trailed by two sets, and 5-0 down in the third set he was given a standing ovation by the Centre Court crowd. But that final game was symbolic of the struggle. It was another expression of Federer’s body finally hitting a bonk.
Roger and out. The great @rogerfederer loses. Even the very greatest can’t defy Father Time. 😢
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 7, 2021
The afternoon belonged to the 24-year-old Hurkacz who stayed true to his roots to the last ball. He becomes just the second man from Poland to reach the semifinal of a Grand Slam–following in the footsteps of Jerzy Janowicz, who reached the last four at Wimbledon in 2013.
Hurkacz also became the first man in 19 years to beat Roger Federer in straight sets at Wimbledon.
Players to beat Federer in straights on grass:
2000 Kafelnikov (Wimbledon)
2002 Ancic (Wimbledon)
2012 Murray (Olympics)
2021 Hurkacz (Wimbledon) pic.twitter.com/y0a1XeSKOt— allegedly enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) July 7, 2021
What will Federer to at Wimbledon in the future? No one can say. But this result, at least, tells a story all of its own.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
