London: Both are on the threshold of new records. While one is set to achieve a record 19th Grand Slam and an eighth Wimbledon title, the other is eyeing his maiden Wimbledon crown. But while Roger Federer mulls on life after tennis, Cilic desperately wants to win Sunday as that would ‘change the world for him’.
En route to his semifinal win against Tomas Berdych, Federer set yet another Wimbledon record. The Swiss became the first man to reach 11 finals at the All England Club. “It was a long way back in some ways. Last year was so difficult. Just to stay calm and speak to the team, to take another decision that we were going to sit out and wait,” Federer told the ‘BBC’ after his win.
“I’m so happy about what I did (the break) because my life continues after tennis too. And that’s at this point almost more important than playing itself. I want to be a good dad and a good husband and a guy who can do sports later on too, so I think giving your body a rest from time to time is a good thing, as we see now,” added the man who has only lost twice in the season.
Croatia’s Cilic stands between him and a record eighth Wimbledon title, an outcome Federer was at pains not to take for granted.
“Last year we had a brutal quarterfinal. I was down two sets to love and match points down,” he informed. “At some stage things were extremely complicated and I had to get really, really lucky to win.”
Cilic also has no second thoughts that a huge battle looms ahead. But then he is ready to grind it all the way because he knows that good things don’t come easy.
“It would be a dream come true to win Wimbledon here,” said Cilic, who has previously won one Grand Slam, the US Open in 2014. “It would mean the absolute world to me.
“When I won the US Open, it just opened so many possibilities in my mind for the rest of my career. To be able to do it again would mean even more,” added the Croatian.
The 28-year-old acknowledged he faced a formidable challenge in the final to defeat 18-time Grand Slam champion Federer, who has yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament.
“Over here in Wimbledon, I believe this is his home court, the place where he feels the best and knows that he can play his best game,” Cilic pointed out.
“It’s a big mountain to climb. Roger is playing maybe the best tennis of his career at the moment, having a great season,” Cilic added.
Cilic was also quick to point out that the last year quarterfinal defeat against the same opposition would stand him in good stead. “I would say that I’m now in a little bit of a better form, maybe just slightly mentally stronger, maybe have learned a few more lessons, valuable lessons,” the Croat asserted.
Reuters
