Roger Federer details Wimbledon surprise after ‘all the problems’ in past 18 months

John McEnroe doubts Federer’s chances of winning Wimbledon

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Roger Federer has conceded that he did not expect to make the quarter-finals at Wimbledon after his 18-month battle with injury. The Swiss is in last-eight action this afternoon against Hubert Hurkacz as he looks to write more history at SW19.

Last year, Federer only featured at the Australian Open as COVID-19 disrupted the entire ATP World Tour.

Not only that but the tennis great was also forced to undergo two arthroscopic surgeries on his right knee.

Federer needed time away to recover before finally returning to action in Qatar at the ExxonMobil One in March.

The 39-year-old then made the decision to withdraw from the French Open ahead of his fourth-round clash with Matteo Berrettini due to discomfort in his knee last month.

He confirmed in a statement that he was choosing to prioritise his participation at Wimbledon, a decision he is now reaping the rewards from.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of his clash with Hurkacz, a reflective Federer admitted he did not expect to be here.

“I’m very happy at almost 40 years old to have made another quarters, I didn’t expect it to come this year given all the problems I’ve had in the past year and a half so I’m extremely happy to be here,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough the quarter-finals, I know that but I’m really pleased to be here and I now know everything is possible.”

Federer was in a reflective mood as he watched back through clips of his early days at Wimbledon.

The 20-time Grand Slam shed light on his journey and how his expectations have changed over the years.

“In your dreams you hope to win one Wimbledon,” he said. “Then the dreams end, you cannot dream this far ahead. In 2001 I made the quarters against [Tim] Henman.

“I lost the next year in the first round against Mario Ancic and then 2003, you’re thinking ‘I hope I can break that barrier or make the quarters.’

“I hoped to make the semis for the first time and I did, I got into the match with [Andy] Roddick and I started to play like in a dream.

“I didn’t know I had tennis in me like that and then you’re in the finals.

“Then you win it and it’s about what’s the next goal, it’s not the quarters anymore, it’s defending the championships.

“As you move on you have different goals and you always want to remember who you were, how you did it and how excited you were at the time.

“Later you have to remind yourself daily, what a privilege it is to be here, how grateful you are, why you still care about it all. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

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