“I don’t think I am playing because Djokovic is doing well”: Roger Federer after his 3rd round win at Wimbledon 2021


“I don’t think I am playing because Djokovic is doing well”: Roger Federer after his 3rd round win at Wimbledon 2021

Roger Federer

Roger Federer continues playing with records at Wimbledon as he advances into the 4th round of the Wimbledon 2021 after defeating local lad Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

ADVERTISEMENT

The win takes him to his 18th fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon, where he is an eight-time champion and with some good wins this week, he will be fancying a 9th trophy lift.

Federer analyses his match against Norrie

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

This was Federer’s 2nd 4-set win this week as he also had a 4-setter against Adrian Mannarino who was forced to withdraw after suffering from a leg injury going into the 5th set, handing a walkover to Federer. Federer won the 2nd round in straight-sets before winning this 3rd round in 4-sets again.

The crowd really got into it. I thought I was extremely calm throughout the match, that’s why I saved all the emotions for the end of the match. It meant a lot to me, I thought I played a really good match throughout except that one game where Norrie breaks me, sure he returned well, but it was a bit easy for him to get that break.

ADVERTISEMENT

But it was a difficult couple of minutes for me after missing the breakpoints and coming back and serving on the other side. Credit to him for pushing me, he had a great season so far. If I can beat somebody of his level, I am extremely happy to find ways to fight back in the 4-sets.” said Federer about his match with Cameron Norrie.

Roger Federer talks about Djokovic’s success

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic has been in amazing form this year. He has won the 2021 Australian Open and also won the 2021 French Open defeating ‘King of Clay”‘Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. With these performances, he is the favourite again at Wimbledon and could be the potential opponent of Federer if the duo makes it all the way to the finals.

I don’t think I am playing because he is doing well, or he’s doing great things. The same is with Rafa. I am doing my own things, I had problems of my own with the knee. So, that’s been the focus. But then again it’s just, it’s very very impressive to see what he’s doing this year.

It’s gonna be another big one for him in the coming days. He has different ways on how to win matches. He’s done incredibly well in Australia, in Paris, it was exceptional of course and he looks the big favourite here.” said Federer about Djokovic chasing him and Nadal at 20 Grand Slams as Djokovic is on 19 Grand Slams currently.

ADVERTISEMENT

Federer speaks about the Wimbledon traditions

Roger Federer at Wimbledon
Roger Federer at Wimbledon

With the Middle Sunday break taking place on the 4th July 2021 which will be the last time the break is followed with the tournament announcing scraping of the rule from 2022 onwards, Federer weighed in with his opinion on the move and also talked about the much-discussed Grass of the Centre Court this year.

I don’t think so. I went down some times in the past. So, I mean it’s much much easier to move now. I don’t feel any difference per se. I think it is same as it always has been,” said Federer about the Grass which many complained about being slippery when the tournament commenced.

I wasn’t actually sure if it was gonna be Middle Sunday this year. Thank you for clarifying that for me, I wasn’t sure. We’ve got a lot of traditions, but again French Open was also a 15-day event, everybody wants more days, more days means more revenue and more options. But I don’t think they did it only for the revenue, I think they think that it’s going with the time.” concluded Federer.

Roger will now be facing Italian Lorenzo Sonego who will be making his 4th round debut at Wimbledon against 18-time 4th round participant Federer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: “He has a huge admiration from all the players” Roger Federer heaps praise on Andy Murray for his performances at the Wimbledon 2021