It was a tennis legend’s final Wimbledon triumph. On July 16, 2017, Roger Federer won his eighth title, setting a record that still stands today. For many fans, it was the crowning moment of his career.
When Roger Federer took the court in London in the summer of 2017, many experts already believed his best years were behind him. The Swiss player was 35 years old at the time, had repeatedly struggled with injuries, and had even been sidelined for several months in 2016 due to knee problems. Many had already written him off.
But Federer proved them all wrong. As early as January 2017, he had won the Australian Open, celebrating one of the most astonishing comebacks in tennis history. At Wimbledon a few months later, he went one better.
Federer: A Final Without a Weak Moment
In the final, Federer faced Croatian Marin Čilić. However, what many had expected did not happen. It wasn’t a thrilling five-set thriller. Federer dominated the match from the start and won convincingly, 6–3, 6–1, and 6–4.
Particularly remarkable: Federer didn’t lose a single set throughout the entire tournament. Such dominance was unusual even for his extraordinary career. Wimbledon had once again witnessed its king at his best.
The Sole Wimbledon Record Holder
With this victory, Federer definitively made tennis history. It was his eighth Wimbledon title, following his triumphs in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012.
With this, he surpassed William Renshaw and Pete Sampras, who had each won seven Wimbledon titles. Federer now stood alone at the top of the all-time men’s leaderboard.
For many fans, this was the perfect setting for his final major Wimbledon triumph. After all, no other player was as closely associated with Center Court as the Swiss.
The Most Popular Tennis Player of His Generation
Born on August 8, 1981, in Basel, Federer evolved from a talented junior player into a global superstar. His elegant playing style, technical perfection, and sportsmanship made him popular far beyond the world of tennis.
Even fans of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, paid him respect. In an era full of superstars, Federer remained, for many, the epitome of the perfect tennis player.
The Great Rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic
Part of Federer’s legacy is that he did not achieve his greatest successes in a weak generation of tennis players. On the contrary.
He regularly had to hold his own against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—two players who are themselves contenders for the title of greatest tennis player of all time.
That is precisely why his 2017 Wimbledon triumph is held in such high regard. At age 35, Federer once again prevailed against younger competition and proved that he still belonged among the world’s absolute elite.
The Final Years of His Career
His 2017 Wimbledon victory was followed by further highlights. In 2018, Federer won the Australian Open, bringing his Grand Slam total to 20 titles. But gradually, the physical toll began to take its toll.
The 2019 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic was particularly painful.
Federer squandered two match points and narrowly missed out on his ninth Wimbledon title. Many fans still consider this match the most tragic defeat of his career.
Today, Federer is first and foremost a family man
In 2022, Federer finally ended his active career. Today, the Swiss tennis star leads a much quieter life.
Federer spends a lot of time with his family, is involved in educational projects through his foundation, and regularly appears at charity events.
Even after retiring, he remains one of the world’s most famous athletes. His popularity shows no signs of waning.
Nine years after his last Wimbledon triumph, Federer still stands alone at the top of the men’s all-time rankings. Novak Djokovic has since won seven Wimbledon titles—but his dominance, too, has come to an end. Perhaps Federer’s record will indeed stand for eternity.
