Net Loss: Roger Federer Bounced At Wimbledon

Roger Federer won't have a chance for a magical run this year’s Wimbledon.

The soon-to-be 40-year-old tennis legend looked over-matched and overwhelmed while losing in the quarterfinals Wednesday to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0, Forbes reports. It was Federer’s third straight-sets loss at Wimbledon and first since falling to Mario Ancic in the first round in 2002.

When asked if he had played his final match at Wimbledon, Federer said: “I don't know. I really don't know. I've got to regroup."

He said it was his goal was always to try and play another Wimbledon.

"I was able to make it this year, which I'm really happy about," Federer said. "Everything that comes after we'll have to sit down and talk about it."

Federer said he would like to play Wimbledon again, but said at his age, "you never know what’s around the corner." He said he would have to meet with his team and “reassess everything" when asked about the potential for retirement.

"I hope that's not going to happen,” Federer said. “The goal is to play, of course."

Forbes reports that 24-year-old Hurkacz grew up idolizing Federer and having his posters on his bedroom wall, but in their second match, it was No. 14 Hurkacz who was the better player.

Hurkacz dominated the eight-time Wimbledon champion with his serve and steady play from the baseline.

“I don’t know what to say,” Hurkacz said on court. “It’s super special for me. I’ve been playing on this special court against Roger, I mean it’s always since you were a kid a dream come true to play him ... Playing here in front of and the special things that has done here throughout his whole career, so it’s a dream come true.”

Forbes reports that many tennis fans had hoped for another Federer-Djokovic battle in Sunday’s final that might replicate their 2019 classic in which Djokovic fended off double-match point to win the title and prevent Federer from earning his 21st major title — had Federer won that match, he would lead his rivals Rafael Nadal (20) and Djokovic (18) on the all-time Slams list.

But as things stand, Djokovic is two match wins from tying Federer and Nadal at 20, and winning the third leg of the Grand Slam. No man has won the calendar Slam since Rod Laver in 1969, per Forbes.

Hurkacz had twice as many aces a Federer (10-5) and overcame a break in the second set to win in a tiebreak and go up two-sets -to-love. Federer missed two key volleys in the tiebreak, slapping a swinging forehand into the net and slipping on another putaway volley attempt and failing to hit the ball. He missed forehand after forehand in the latter stages of the match.

“Look, was the better player by far today so he deserved the victory,” Federer said.

Federer had two knee surgeries in 2020 and about a month ago announced he was withdrawing from the French Open after citing an incomplete recovery process from knee surgeries.

“I feel horribly exhausted, I could go for a nap right now,” he said. “I feel I will be upbeat again shortly...I think I need to speak to the team, hear what they have to say, get it all out and then we go from there.”

Federer is committed to Halle in 2022, but could opt to stop playing before then, Forbes reports. It’s unclear if he will play in the Tokyo Olympics, but has said he plans to play the U.S. Open.

“I will make an announcement sooner than later of course ,” Federer said.

Hurkacz advanced to his first major semifinal, where he will meet No. 7 Matteo Berrettini of Italy on Friday.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic faces No. 10 Denis Shapovalov in the other semifinal, Forbes reports. Three of the final four will appear in their first major semifinal.

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