Roger Federer has won his eighth Wimbledon championship, outclassing a visibly and physically overwhelmed Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 on Centre Court.
Two years on from his last final appearance and five years after his last victory, Federer took less than two hours to wrap up a record-breaking 18th grand slam title, one hour and 41 minutes for the tens of thousands of Federer aficionados inside Centre Court and outside to savor the solstice of the Swiss legend’s incredible Indian Summer.
“Henman Hill” was full to bursting with over an hour until the start of play and, judging by the reactions to Federer’s appearance on the big screen, they were only backing one man. With home favorite Andy Murray out in the quarterfinal, the home crowd had long since switched to their allegiance to their second – or, arguably first – love.
Unfortunately for Cilic, they don’t like an underdog at the All England Club. Not really. The cynic would suggest they merely want to bask in Federer’s reflected glory once a year. And with the quality that the Swiss master continues to produce at the age of 35, there’s more than enough of that to go around.
