Wimbledon: Roger Federer wobbles at the beginning – but benefits from the abandonment of opponent Adrian Mannarino

Record champion Roger Federer barely missed a sensational first round in his attack on another Wimbledon title. The 39-year-old tennis superstar from Switzerland benefited on Tuesday from the injury-related abandonment of the French Adrian Mannarino at 6: 4, 6: 7 (3: 7), 3: 6, 6: 2 from Federer’s point of view.

Mannarino, who had lost all six previous duels against the Grand Slam record champion, slipped 4-2 in the fourth set on the lawn and injured his knee. “That is terrible. It shows that a blow can change the outcome of a match, a season, a career,” said Federer: “I hope he recovers well. He could have won the match, he was the better player. “

After a year-long injury break with two knee operations, the “Maestro” had called for Wimbledon as a major goal. However, there were big question marks about his form, since his comeback he has played nine matches and suffered four defeats. Most recently, he was eliminated in the round of 16 at the lawn tournament in Halle / Westphalia. Even against Mannarino, Federer hardly found his game and lacked punch.

In the second round, Federer has to deal with the French veteran Richard Gasquet. Gasquet defeated the Japanese Yuichi Sugita 7: 6 (7: 4), 4: 6, 6: 2, 6: 1. Federer won the last of his eight Wimbledon victories in 2017. In the last edition before the pandemic-related cancellation, Federer lost the epic final over five sets against Novak Djokovic in 2019 despite two match points.

(with SID)