Federer at a loss
From such a seismic shock as Roger Federer’s loss to Kevin Anderson in an epic quarter-final comes the natural search for answers: the vanquished champion, however, couldn’t help.
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” said the eight-time victor when asked to pinpoint a moment when he lost control of the match. “I guess there was definitely a moment at some point. Is it missing match points? Is it getting broken at five-all after that? I'm not sure.
“That could have been a key. Could have been a key later. There's a lot of little points here and there that always make a difference in the outcome of a match.”
And there were many points in the four-hour 14-minute epic against Anderson, as the South African completed a remarkable comeback in his first quarter-final at SW19.
Match point saved
From Federer’s statement start to win the first set in just 26 minutes, to Anderson’s gradual improvement to save a match point in the third set, it evolved into a test that required Federer’s trademark best.
“First set felt great," the Swiss said. "Reading the serve. He wasn't getting many aces. When I was on, I was making him play. From the baseline I felt like I could mix it up, play aggressive. There was a lot going on. As the match went on, I couldn't surprise him any more. That's a bad feeling to have.”
As the match went on, I couldn't surprise him any more. That's a bad feeling to have
Still, Federer’s unparalleled eight Wimbledon titles among his record 20 Grand Slams underline his ability to manage such tests, usually. “It's not like it hasn't happened before. I've been in many, many matches like this,” he reasoned.
'I had my chances'
“These are the moments where you try to hold your serve, create opportunities. Maybe he's got to miss a few more than make a few more. That's going to maybe make the difference. I couldn't come up with enough good stuff for him to miss more. I think that was the key at the end.”
Crediting Anderson’s big serve and his effective return when the right opportunities presented, Federer also noted the South African’s sturdy endurance.
“I think I had my chances, so it's disappointing. No, I mean, no doubt about it. He was consistent. He was solid. He got what he needed when he had to,” he said. “Credit to him for hanging around really that long.”
Federer felt fresh even through the 90-minute final set - it was only after the match that fatigue took hold. “I know what kind of energy I need to bring to the fifth. I was able to bring that,” he related. “To be honest, I didn't feel mental fatigue. Now I feel horribly fatigued and just awful. It's just terrible.”
Federer was naturally in no state of mind to suggest the length of his recovery. “I don't know how long it's going to take me. Might take me a while. Might take me half an hour. I have no idea what it's going to be,” he said.
Unfinished business
Any sense of unfinished business, though, was one that the Swiss quickly dismissed. “Of course, the goal is to come back here next year,” he smiled. “I wouldn't call it 'unfinished business'. I felt like I did some good business here in the past already. So I'm all right. Just disappointed now.”
And if there was a silver lining to Federer’s shock exit, it was the fuel it might provide for his return.
“Maybe the losses hurt more, that you don't want to be on the loser's side. It motivates me to do extremely well here because I don't want to sit here and explain my loss. That's the worst feeling you can have as a tennis player,” he said.
“Honestly, I think I just, you know, love being around here. It's a good vibe. We have a good time as a family. I have great memories from here. My heroes all won here. Every time I come back here, I try to be like them, so it's nice to be here.”