"I’d like to win Wimbledon one more time"

Federer wants to tie Sampras record at 7. Also, there is probably some more goals that he wants to accomplish before 2021 is done and dusted.

Thanks for the interesting read Steve.

You know, I understand that Rafael Nadal looks unbeatable at the moment but I have NO DOUBT in my mind that Federer has another major or two in him(and not any more, I really doubt he'll get 3 more majors).

I would also love to see Federer win Wimbledon one more time(and i'm a Nadal fan).

Certainly tying Sampras' record for Wimbledon is in his mind, but I
wonder if he'd also like to tie or beat Pete's record for number of weeks
at #1. He probably believes that winning another Wimby is more achievable
than a Davis Cup win or olympic singles gold.

I'd also like Roger to get one more Wimbledon.

Master Ace: Federer said after he won last year that even though he broke the GS record he still regards Sampras to be ahead of him because he has 7 Wimbledons.

Lets not forget, after Wimbledon 2012, the olympics will be on the same courts and surface....maybe he'll get both!

I what wilson75 is true, then the reason to me would be because he has like one more Australian Open which no one considers all that prestigious and the other would be the French, but he only has one. I consider Federer ahead of Sampras because of the French (and a ton of other reasons). But Federer apparently says to himself that he's only two ahead of Sampras and Sampras has one more of the most prestigious tennis tournament there is and possibly the most prestigious sports event there is period. I really want Federer to pass Sampras in the Wimbledon record really. I would like him to get 8 or 9 like Navratilova- the true Queen of Wimbledon.

Roger has said at this year's Wimbledon that he'd like to win again, not to tie Sampras, but simply to experience again the amazing feeling of holding the trophy and winning the match. Wimby has always been his favorite tournament.

It's not all about records all the time.

Here's a very nice relaxed interview with Roger:

http://svtplay.se/v/2199893/tennis/federer_anlande_till_stockholm_utan_jetlag?cb,a1364159,1,f,-1/pb,a1364158,1,f,-1/pl,v,,2199082/sb,b1387548,1,f,-1

Here's what he actually said after winning Wimbledon last year.

Q. Your first Grand Slam title was Wimbledon. Now your 15th is Wimbledon. Both titles are memorable. Do you feel destiny or anything?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I'm happy I broke the record here in some ways, you know, because this is always the tournament that's meant the most to me because of what we spoke about with my heroes and idols being so successful here.
So it definitely feels like it's come full circle for me, you know, starting it here and ending it here. Of course, my career is far from over. But it's also nice to think especially so many legends were sitting there today. You know, especially Pete, you know, who I had a great time with in Asia a short while ago.
I know how much the record meant to him and he knows how much the record means to me. In a way, I still feel like we share it, you know, just because he was such a wonderful champion. He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon.

http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=57650

Sampras is the best grass courter, and I for one hope Pete can atleast keep his 7 wimbledons record to himself, as well as the weeks at number 1.

Not to say I hope Fed doesn't win anymore Wimbledons, but..I hope he doesn't win anymore Wimbledon titles.

Sampras is pure class. Elegantly Brutal.

I loved Sampras when he played and now I love Roger but I do hope Roger can get another Wimbledons (or 2) *innocently speaking*. I want Roger to get as many slams as possible before he retires and since Wimbledon is his favorite, I would like to see that happen.

Fed played the greatest Wimbledon and greatest tennis match of all time, in 2008, and lost by a hair's-breadth in the dark against the most relentless opponent is the history of the sport, the man who parked at no.2 longer than any man in any endeavor in history, and refused to budge. That is his seventh Wimbledon.

Surely he has comprehended the verse that is a player's final upward glance before taking the grass, "...to meet victory and defeat and treat those two imposters the same"?

Most important, Fed is a true artist. That's all we ever want, and he gave us that in perfect "10".

Whatever he gives now is just pure gravy.

Something that makes Sampras less likeable: he rooted for Federer in the match vs. Roddick at Wimbledon 2009. Maybe it's that they're friends, or that Federer's undefeated against Sampras, or Sampras sees in Federer someone like himself, but at the same time it is not much of an endorsement for Roddick, who played well enough to win that match and may never see a Wimbledon final again. Not sure what Roddick thought seeing Sampras basically in Federer's booth, other than to wonder how it was a Yank in the stadium wasn't cheering for Roddick.

I hope Federer can get at least 2 more wimbledons ;)

interesting that he says he only wants to win only one more wimbledon...i wonder if in between his pre FO interview of thinking he could win 20 GS's to the reality of the situation now, he's assessing the odds a little more level headed.

i agree that i think he can win at least 2 more slams. it's still so impressive how he can play at this level @ 29. yes, he'll never be as dominant as he used to be (that argument is long over) but he's still in the mix as a possible semi and/or finalist in every tournament he plays, which is outstanding.

He'd like to win Wimbledon one more time? Uh oh, he's thinking retirement now. He's had just about enough of the grind. Rafa fatigue will do that to you.

Winning Wimbledon for a 7th time means Federer would officially become the greatest grass court player in history although actually he's the one with the most grass court titles in the Open era with 11 (6 at Wimbledons, 5 in Halle) but he is the second in the grass court Grand Slam titles count.

Federer did not say he only wants to win one more Wimbledon and he never said his goal was 20 Slams. He said if he could only have one more Slam, it would probably be Wimbledon, but obviously he wants more.

Originally, when asked if 20 Slams was possible, he said yes it's doable. He did not set it as a personal goal. Also, when asked by the BBC if he would take 3 Slams for the remainder of his career, he said no, so he clearly believes he can win more, but is not setting a goal or fixated on a particular number.

Federer did not say Sampras was ahead of him because he had 7 Wimbledons. He said Sampras has one up against him at Wimbledon, which is self evident because Federer has 6 and Sampras 7. He obviously meant it literally by the numbers, not that Sampras was greater because of it. He took no position on that.

I don't find it surprising Federer can play at this level at 29. Many players have been able to remain competitive into their 30s, including a few who are still on tour. All you need is good health and motivation. Biomechanically and cardiovascularly it should not be a problem. Health permitting, you should be more or less as strong as you were in your early 20s. Remaining sufficiently motivated is where the challenge lies, which does not appear to be a problem for Federer.

Everyone at the top seems to be losing almost every alternate match. No one seems invincible anymore. After winning three Grand Slams in a row, Nadal has lost a few matches in a row and that too, to lesser mortals. Djokovic was almost fresh from his victory over Federer at the US Open, but fell to him, without a fight, at Shanghai. Federer, on his part, defeated Soderling and Djokovic only to meekly surrender to Murray whom he had toyed with at the Australian Open. Federer is far from his best and this has created opportunities for the rest. It is good for tennis although I, a fan of Federer, hate to see him sliding down.

Do you agree that there is something changed in Federer's attitude and mental approach when he is playing now?
I notice it since Rogers Cup till Shanghai. In somehow it helps his game even when he is loosing.
Can be PA impact or long break or something else. But I get a feeling he has set up him self with his new expectations and motivation.
If he is healthy he will not only entertain fans but also win lot in next few years.

Good post, Adam - thanks! I agree with you.

:)

The balanced racquet is hilarious. I want to see Fed do that while playing thw tweener shot!

Adam, what a great post.

I think Roger will have as tough as a time as he has been having next year because of the rise in the use of performance enhancing drugs in the sport. Not his use but others I mean. These people should be “outed” and the sport should clean up and move on. But money and PR seem to be too important.

Nadal is GOAT. Federer is good, very good, but cannot be GOAT if he has losing record against Nadal and Murray.

Andrew Miller-- So nationality automatically tops all? If Sampras and Federer are friends, why isn't more natural for him to support Federer than support Roddick? Just because of the random chance that Sampras and Roddick happened to have been born in the same geopolitical entity? Odd.

I should add that Roddick mentioned that Sampras texted Roddick after the match to congratulate him on his great performance at Wimbledon despite losing to Federer in the final. Often times appearances don't tell the whole story. Furthermore, wasn't Sampras sitting with Borg and Laver in the box at Wimbledon--surely that couldn't have been Federer's box?

@Andrew Miller:

I didn't see Sampras rooting for Federer in that match. Indeed, he appeared to have a "I can't believe my record is gone so quickly" look on his face the entire time. He certainly didn't seem pleased after match point.

@Patrick:

Suddenly a criterion for Greatest Ever is a winning record against a player with no slams? Ughghghhgh. This stupid crap drives me nuts. Looks like we can eliminate Sampras from the conversation, too, because he struggled against that hack Wayne Ferreira.

I seriousley believe that Roger still has the energy, the stamina and the eagerness to win 1 or 2 more Wimbeldons and may be 3-4 more slams. He could reach 20. I see it possible. Roger, is probably the greatest to left a racket after Pete.

Anwar Obeidat
Amman-Jordan

Roger and rafa are gods. Tennis otherwise is a boring sport unless those to are on the court.

WHats funny is that Rafa will probably breaks Fed's record while federer is still an active player

BrooklynNY,
If you are talking about Federer's Slam record, I say no but most others, maybe so. 2011 will be very interesting.

BrooklynNY, Nadal won't even break Sampras' tally so that should give some comfort to you.

Now what IS funny is someone using the word "elegance" to describe Sampras with Federer around.