IT’S BOOM OR RUST FOR FED

ROGER FEDERER says he cannot take a long break from hitting serves because his shoulder would go “rusty”.

The Swiss superstar (above), who turns 36 next month, has reached his 12th Wimbledon semi-final without dropping a set while his big rivals have succumbed to injuries.

Federer, who powered down the 10,000th ace of his professional career in the first round, said: “My serve is natural for me but I cannot take too many days off after a tournament without serving.

“I can’t go three weeks without serving, for example, because you lose your accuracy and cause your shoulder to become rusty. Like a car that stays too long in the garage.”

Federer, who faces Tomas Berdych today, was hailed like a champion by a huge crowd when he left Centre Court via the overhead walkway following his quarterfinal win.

“It‘s a huge pleasure for me,” said the Australian Open champ. “I could never have imagined when I was a kid that I would become a cult figure. Maybe it has something to do with the defeats of Murray, Djokovic and Nadal. Maybe people want me to win more than usual.”

All four players in today’s semi-finals are ranked outside the top four – the first time this has happened since 2003.