On the verge of history but Roger is nervous
ROGER FEDERER will make all kinds of history today if he beats Marin Cilic on Centre Court.
Fourteen years after winning his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon, the Swiss superstar returns to what has become his personal stage in search of the ultimate record just a month short of his 36th birthday.
Victory will see him stand alone as the most-successful men’s champion ever to grace the All England Club.
He currently shares the record of seven singles titles with William Renshaw and Pete Sampras. This is his 11th final, four more than any other man.
At 35 years and 342 days, Federer will become the oldest male champion in the Open era, having just clocked up his 90th Wimbledon victory in his semi-final win over Thomas Berdych, itself a record.
It’s his 29th Grand Slam final, 18 of which have been won, and Greg Rusedski rates him as: “Probably the greatest of all time. I don’t think we’re going to see a guy like this ever again in our lifetime.”
And yet, on the eve of what would be arguably his greatest triumph, the veteran not only has admitted that he’ll have nerves but also that he couldn’t perform without them.
“I do get nervous,” he said. “I’m happy to be nervous for the big occasions.
“Sometimes it slows down your legs, your pulse starts racing and it seems you have a million ideas in your head. That can stress you out.
“But I always say I’m happy I feel
that way because it means I care.
“Going through the motions would be a horrible feeling.”
Since taking a six-month break to rest an injured knee after last year’s Wimbledon, Federer returned to win his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, five years after No.17.
“Last year was so difficult,” he said. “It was hard just to stay calm and speak to my team and take another decision that we were going to sit out and wait longer.
“Of course, there are doubts there that maybe you won’t ever be able to come back and play a game on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
“Back in 2003, when I first won here, my team was much smaller and I didn’t have kids running around potentially waking me up at night!
“I’ve just been trying to rest to the maximum so that when I do come out on court, I have all the energy and resources to play inspired and creative tennis.”
His Croat opponent is in just his second major final after winning the 2014 US Open.
And Cilic concedes that Federer, who hasn’t dropped a set on his way to the final, is probably the identikit grass-court tennis player.
“His game fits grass almost perfectly,” said the 28-year-old with the ‘nice guy’ reputation.
“He is so fluid with his shots and movement, plays aggressive tennis and has that natural ability to accelerate and decelerate.
“To be able to win so many titles at a time when there’s been so many top players around says it all.”