Wimbledon 2017: Roger Federer reveals time off saved his career after making another final

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Wimbledon 2017: Roger Federer reveals time off saved his career after making another final



ROGER FEDERER is on the verge of adding an eighth Wimbledon title to his trophy cabinet after beating Tomas Berdych in the semi-final today.
 
 Federer was far from his best, requiring a tie-break to overcome former Wimbledon finalist in each of the first two sets before breaking in the seventh game the third set.
 
 The Swiss has now won 11 of his 12 semi-final meetings with his only defeat at this stage coming against Milos Raonic 12 months ago.
 
 At 35, he is the second-oldest man to reach a Wimbledon final and should he triumph, he will be the oldest winner of all-time.
 
 He will play Croatian Marin Cilic who overcame Andy Murray's conqueror Sam Querrey on Centre Court earlier in the day.
 
 The return to the Wimbledon final marks a total turn around from a year ago, when he was forced to take more six months off with injury.
 
 “It was a long way back in some ways,” Federer said.
 
 “Last year was so difficult, to take the decision to take time [off].
 
 “I’m so happy I did it because my life extends beyond tennis and I wanted to be a good dad and good husband.
 
 “I’m happy it’s paying off.
 
 “I feel very privileged to be in the another final.
 
 “I know how much it means to guys to play on Centre Court and I get to play the final here.
 
 “I can hardly believe it’s true.”
 
 Federer has already won seven Wimbledon titles in the famous stadium and will move past American Pete Sampras as the most successful man ever at the tournament if he wins on Sunday.
 
 And Cilic, whom he beat in the quarter-finals last year, knows exactly the size of the challenge ahead of him.
 
 “I believe this is his home court, place where he feels the best and knows that he can play the best game,” Cilic said.
 
 “Obviously I'm going to look back, as well, 12 months ago I was one point away from winning a match over here against him.
 
 “Definitely I believe that if I'm going to be playing him, in my own abilities to get through and to win it.
 
 “But I still know that it's a big mountain to climb. Roger is playing maybe one of his best tennis of his career at the moment, having a great season.”