FEDERER’S NO.1 GOAL:
WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ON COURSE FOR SUMMIT RETURN
A YEAR after his career was condemned to the scrapheap, Roger Federer could return to world No. 1 next month.
The Swiss genius yesterday climbed to No. 3 after a monumental eighth Wimbledon title and is now poised to reclaim top spot after playing just seven tournaments this year.
Federer, 35, could become the oldest man to snare the top ranking, having lost it in 2012 to Novak Djokovic.
Having sat out the last six months of last season, Federer has no rankings points to defend ahead of Canada and Cincinnati events and US Open.
Federer has won five titles this season, rising from No. 17.
Federer fended off suggestions he would draw the curtain on an astonishing career after destroying injured Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
“I love playing the big stages still. I don’t mind the practice. I don’t mind the travel,” he said.
“Because I’m playing a little less, I actually get more time in return. I feel like I’m working part-time these days almost, which is a great feel- ing. “What keeps me going? I don’t know, I love to play. Wonderful team.
“My wife’s (Mirka) totally fine with me still playing. She’s my No.1 supporter. She’s amazing.”
As Federer revelled in a 19th major, the Swiss artist struggled to reconcile the magnitude of his achievement.
“Winning eight (titles) is not something you ever aim for, in my opinion,” he said.
“If you do, I don’t know, you must have so much talent and parents and the coaches that push you from the age of three on, who think you’re a project.
“I was not that kid. I was just really a normal guy growing up in Basel, hoping to make a career on the tennis tour.
“I guess I dreamt, I be-
lieved, and really hoped that I could actually maybe really do it, you know, to make it real. So I put in a lot of work, and it paid off.”
Federer batted away talk he had played his final Wimbledon, like at the Aussie Open.