Roger Federer talks about his disappointment with the press recalling his heart-wrenching defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at the 2021 Wimbledon
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Roger Federer - MAGO / Shutterstock/ Javier Garcia
8-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer‘s last ever match at the historic venue will be his difficult defeat to Hubert Hurkacz. Playing against the Pole in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Wimbledon, Federer lost in straight-sets with the final set being a 0-6, the 6th time he had been ever bagelled in his 24-year long career.
While Federer had played the match with a troubled knee which got worsened during the match. The injury eventually ended Federer’s career as he remained absent before announcing his retirement ahead of the 2022 Laver Cup. The Swiss maestro however opened up on the reaction of the press during his post-match press conference.
“People judge you but they don’t know. There was not one single question on my knee during the press conference, which to my eyes is phenomenal. It was the only thing in my mind. For months, each morning, each minute, and at the very end, I’m not supposed to even talk about it?” said Federer speaking with L’Equipe.
“People just don’t understand,”: Roger Federer
Federer was looking for his 9th Wimbledon and 21st major title at last year’s Wimbledon. Despite coming after a 15-month injury lay-off, Federer had managed to reach the quarter-finals before Hurkacz took him out. Federer however remained shocked by the reaction of the press as the focus remained on the scoreline.
“In a way I was happy with that, but I just couldn’t figure out what people had seen. Either I’m very good at hiding my problems. Or people just don’t understand. Or even they are too nice to talk about what hurts,” added Federer further explaining his dismay over the post-match reactions.
The bagel will always be the anti-climatic ending for Federer at Wimbledon. The most successful men’s singles champion and the second most successful player at the All-England Club behind Martina Navratilova in the Open Era, a bagel in the final ever set will always hurt the Swiss maestro.
As Federer now steps away from the Tour as a Pro, one can only hope that fans remember Federer’s success and brilliance on the green lawns of Wimbledon instead of the heartbreaking defeat he suffered.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)