15 July, 2017
Age was his enemy.
That extended rest, to recover from a knee injury, led to his 2017 renaissance with a refreshed Federer winning his 18th major at the Australian Open. In the end, the caption reads, "Meet the 13th Doctor after the Wimbledon men's final, Sunday 16th July". Since then Federer has only lost twice. He now stands 11-1 in those matches, only losing last season to Milos Raonic. And he has made it look utterly easy.
Serena will still hold more Grand Slams, overall as well as at Wimbledon. Previous year was so hard.
"I can't quite believe it".
"It's unbelievable", said Cilic, "I've been playing really great tennis".
"We talk every day and we text every day, not about tennis always - our relationship isn't based around tennis so it's just been really great". He is playing more aggressive, trusting his instincts a lot more.
The grass, especially on Wimbledon's Centre Court, has always been a ideal canvas for his art. And Federer has painted some ridiculously bold strokes on it this summer.
That came at 4-3 in the first set, when Federer was already up a break, and a forehand dumped into the net from Berdych was all that separated them in the tie-break. Yes it would, but I can't help myself when I say I enjoy watching a marathon final set.
"I think he's going to be a force in tennis for a few more years". The 6ft 5in baseliner is the 11th seed and the only barrier between Federer and Sunday's final. With a win, Federer would achieve a record eighth Wimbledon title, breaking a tie with Pete Sampras, who excelled in the 1990s, and William Renshaw, who won seven titles in the 1880s.
Cilic is into only his second major final after winning the 2014 US Open. The tall Croat, another aggressive baseliner, has the potential to blow opponents off the court.
Next up is a showdown between 7th seed Marin Čilić (pictured above warming up for the 2012 Championships at Queens) of Croatia and unfancied 24th seed Sam Querrey of the United States. Federer has a 6-1 record against Cilic, whom he has not faced since Wimbledon a year ago. I thought it was sad and courageous in equal measure. One key to his success is his court coverage, which allows him to play defense as well as anyone. At the US Open, he played unreal there against me. "I love this tournament", Federer said after another vintage performance dealt with Czech Tomas Berdych in the semi-final.
All my dreams came true here as a player. "I was making him (play more) on his service games".
He said they are taller and stronger; that they hit harder and can hurt him, although the same was said about his last victim 26-year-old Milos Raonic, whose analysis of Federer is that the 18-time Grand Slam victor is good at kicking you when you're down.
