The Wimbledon icon was outclassed in his garden by the Polish Hubert Hurkacz without complex.
Wimbledon audiences dreamed of witnessing a remake of the 2019 Federer-Djokovic anthology final on Sunday. But Hubert Hurkacz decided otherwise. The 25-year-old Pole has evolved several tones above an almost quadra, which often looked his age on Wednesday. The eight-time winner of the tournament had succeeded in pushing the limits of time to the stage of the quarter-finals. But the Maestro, slow and borrowed, delivered a score unworthy of his legend with in particular 31 unforced errors (12 for his opponent) and a real bankruptcy in forehand, one of his usual strengths. With only 33% of points gained behind his second services, the former world number one was disarmed on Wednesday.
If he was a shadow of himself, it must also be said that he came across an amazing Hurkacz. Without complex, the Pole had made the break in the sixth game of the first set thanks to a climb to the net followed by a perfect volley. He did not shake then to conclude the first act 6-3. Victim of a guilty release, Hurkacz offered the break to his opponent on a double fault. But the Swiss were not able to maintain their advantage for long. The 18e World reunited at 4-4, before showing the strongest in the decisive game won 7-4. A spring was broken and the Swiss let slip in the third act, collecting a “bubble”. Crime of lese-majesté in Federer’s garden. For the third only in 119 games at the All England Club, RF has not won a single set …
“I would love to play at Wimbledon again, but at my age you can never know. “
Roger Federer
The Swiss had decided to leave Roland-Garros after three rounds to preserve his physique. A choice which had seemed judicious… It must also be said that he had benefited from a favorable picture so far in London. And the 8e world could, a priori, be satisfied to avoid world number two Daniel Medvedev in quarterback and face Hubert Hurkacz, a novice at this level. But the rookie never trembled, so superior to the old one. He qualifies for his first Grand Slam semi-final where he will face the winner of the duel between Berrettini and Auger-Aliassime.
The man with 20 Grand Slam titles qualified for the 18th quarter-final of his career at Wimbledon on Monday, a record in a single Grand Slam tournament. The Balois doing better than Jimmy Connors and his 17 quarter-finals at the US Open. With 105 victories in London, he had matched the 105 successes of Nadal at Roland Garros. The 106e victory will wait a little longer. Or not. Because the Maestro may have played his last Wimbledon match of his career on Wednesday …
At a press conference, the eight-time winner let the mystery hang out: “I don’t know if this is my last Wimbledon. I really do not know. My goal has always been to try and play another Wimbledon. I was able to do it this year, which I’m really happy with. With my team, we’re going to sit down and chat to see what I can do to be more competitive. I would love to play this tournament again, but at my age you can never know. “
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