Roger could match my longevity: Ken

I was playing some of my best tennis at 35. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t continue for at least another two or three years

While 14,999 spectators were left wonderstruck as they watched Roger Federer reach the Wimbledon final a month short of his 36th birthday, there was one man on Centre Court who could have shouted out “been there, done that, got the t-shirt”.

Anyone even remotely acquainted with Ken Rosewall, however, knows that simply isn’t the style of one of the great gentlemen of the game.

Instead, the 82-year-old Australian was as awestruck as anybody on Friday as he sat with his grandson in the royal box watching Federer beat Tomas Berdych to become the oldest men’s singles finallist here since Rosewall in 1974. “I’m like millions of others. I admire Roger so much,” said Rosewall.

“I think he’s going to be a force in tennis for a few more years.”

As Federer continues to defy the ravages of age the comparisons with Rosewall are inevitable. “I’d like to be compared to Roger,” Rosewall said.

“I was playing some of my best tennis at 35. Roger’s doing the same thing. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t continue for at least another two or three years.”

Federer still has some way to go if he is to match the longevity of Rosewall’s incredible career as the Australian was 39 when he lost the 1974 final to brash youngster Jimmy Connors.

Despite that letdown, Rosewall has retained the title of the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion in the professional era for 45 years.