Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title to become the tournament’s oldest men’s champion of the Open era with a one-sided straight sets victory over Marin Cilic on Sunday.
Federer moved ahead of Britain’s William Renshaw and American Pete Sampras to claim his eighth title at the All England Club and his first since 2012 with a straightforward 6-3 6-1 6-4 success in one hour and 41 minutes.
“Holding the trophy now, after not dropping a set in the tournament, it’s magical really. I can’t believe it yet. It’s too much,” Federer said. “It’s disbelief I can achieve such heights. I wasn’t sure I would ever be here in another final after last year. I had some tough ones in the finals, losing two against Novak (Djokovic).
“But I always believed. I kept on believing and dreaming I could get back. Here am I today with the eighth. It’s fantastic, if you keep believing you can go far in your life.”
He has not dropped a set all tournament and victory over Croatian giant Cilic gave him a 19th career Grand Slam title and second in three majors this year after sweeping to a fifth Australian Open in January following a six-month absence.
“I’ve got to take more time off! I’ll be gone again for the next six months! I don’t know if it will work as well again,” Federer said with a grin.
With Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal all having fallen by the wayside at Wimbledon this year, Federer took on big-hitting Cilic in the Centre Court showdown in front of watching dignitaries.
“I gave my best. That’s all I could do,” Cilic said. “I never gave up when started a match. That was my idea today. That’s what I did throughout my career.
“I had an amazing journey here. I played the best tennis of my life. I really want to thank my team, they gave so much strength to me. It was really tough today. I’m definitely hoping I will come back here (to the final) one more time.”
