Only one place for Fed to say goodbye
Roger Federer’s shock quarterfinal defeat to Kevin Anderson begged the question: ‘How much longer will we see the King ofWimbledon in action?’.
Only Roger knows – and probably he has no idea himself at the moment.
Every player gets to the stage where the enjoyment factor is not there. They wake up one morning and think: “I don’t want to do this any more”.
In an ideal world, Roger would have a farewell tour like the music superstars.
I’d love him to come out and say: “2019 (or whenever) will be my last year on the circuit”. T hat way, tennis fans around the world would be able to celebrate with him and say goodbye.
Federer is such an icon, that is the least he deserves.
However, I’m sure it won’t happen any time soon. Before losing to Anderson, I don’t believe Roger had any thoughts about calling it a day.
Indeed, I think he still feels he has a Grand Slam victory in him.
There was some controversy over putting Federer’s match on No. 1 Court, rather than Centre.
But I don’t have any complaint about that. It was not a poor decision.
Having said that, I do believe it was a factor in the result.
Would Anderson have beaten Federer on Centre Court? Probably not. That’s Roger’s home.
Away from Centre, the surroundings are different, and the pace of the court is not the same.
Anderson played the match of his life. He was magnificent.
But I think things would have been different on Centre Court.
I think back to 2002, when Pete Sampras – a seven-time Wimbledon champion – was stuck out on No. 2 Court, and lost to a no-hoper, George Bastl.
Pete never played at Wimbledon again.
It would be sad if Roger also bowed out of Wimbledon away from Centre Court.
He deserves to say his farewells to the Royal Box in the cathedral of tennis.
That’s why I really hope he will be back again next year.