Federer finds his rhythm to reach Week 2

WIMBLEDON, England — Roger Federer knows, naturally, that this Wimbledon marks his last Grand Slam tournament before turning 40. He knows, too, that he hadn’t played a thirdround match at a major in nearly 1½ years. And, truthfully, he knows he can’t possibly know how many more he has left.

Maybe that combination of factors led to the unFedererlike reaction — arms raised in a “V,” followed by a big shout and a vigorous fist pump — when his 123 mph serve was returned into the net to end his 64, 64, 57, 64 win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Saturday.

Federer, who had two operations on his right knee in 2020 and had played only eight matches this season until this week, considered the 29thseeded Norrie a “reference point” for where his game stands.

“I thought I was extremely calm throughout the match. Maybe that’s why I saved all the emotions for the very end of the match,” said Federer, whose birthday is Aug. 8, making him the oldest man to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall at age 40 in 1975.

“If I can beat somebody of his level, who’s played well last week, who is playing at home, who’s played a ton of matches … I know who I beat, you know what I mean?” he explained. “It’s not just like a guy that can play good on the day. He’s a good player.”

There was decidedly no homecourt advantage for Norrie; there were more “Come on, Roger!” cries from spectators, old and young, than there were pleas of “Come on, Cam!” And Federer, who has won a men’srecord eight of his 20 Grand Slam trophies at the All England Club, delivered. On Monday, he plays Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, 26, the No. 23 seed.

“I definitely feel like I’ve gotten my rhythm now, at this point,” Federer said.

Alastair Grant / Associated Press Roger Federer, 39, became the oldest man to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since 1975.