Federer still dreaming of eighth title after shock Wimbledon exit

A downbeat Roger Federer vowed to return to Wimbledon next year for another attempt to win a record eighth title after Milos Raonic dumped him out in another classic semi-final on Friday.

Seventeen-time grand-slam champion Federer came through an epic five-set quarter-final against Marin Cilic to stay in the hunt for an eighth crown at the All England Club, which would have seen him surpass Pete Sampras.

It proved to be one marathon too many for the legendary Swiss, though, as Raonic won 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 4-6 7-5 6-3 on Centre Court to ensure he will face Andy Murray in his first major final on Sunday.

Federer, who had won all of his previous 10 Wimbledon semi-finals, received treatment for a thigh injury after the fourth set and was in pain following a nasty fall during the decider.

The 34-year-old has been troubled by injuries this year, but a man considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time plans to lick his wounds and return in 2017 to try and make history once again.

He said: “While I’m in the tournament, it’s a dream to win my eighth. It’s not my only reason why I play tennis, just to be clear, otherwise I’ll go in a freeze box now and come out before Wimbledon next year.

“That’s not how we do it.  We usually play 60 matches and we travel the world to try to achieve other things, as well.

“I know Wimbledon is important, but it’s not everything.  There are a lot of things that I’d like to achieve besides winning Wimbledon.

“For me, the match against Cilic, even I guess now, the 10 sets I played in the last two matches really gives me the belief that I’m much   how do you say   match fit or tougher physically than I thought I was.  I never thought I could do this before the tournament started.

“Actually, it’s very encouraging for the season, hopefully for the rest of my career.  Not that I was worried it was going to end somehow, but I was insecure coming into Wimbledon. I must tell you. I mentioned that a lot beforehand.

“It’s been a great run for me here, I must say. I just hope with the slip I had in the fifth, I’m going to be fine tomorrow and beyond.”

He added: “I just I hope I didn’t hurt myself.  Then, is it a three day thing, is it a 24 hour thing or is it more?  I don’t know at this point. I hope it’s not so bad.  I walked it off. I was able to finish.

“But I don’t slip a lot. I don’t ever fall down. It was a different fall for me than I’ve ever had.

“With the body that’s been playing up this year, I just hope I’m going to be fine. I believe I am, but I’ll know more tomorrow when I wake up.