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Federer, Djokovic braced for classic Wimbledon duel

July 07, 2014 00:00:00


LONDON, July 6 (AFP): Roger Federer can become the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era on Sunday when he targets a record eighth All England Club title in his 35th career meeting with Novak Djokovic.

Federer (32) won the first of his 17 majors at Wimbledon in 2003 and the most recent in 2012 but his failure to return to a Grand Slam final since has had his critics penning his career obituary.

However, in a remarkable turnaround, Federer will become the oldest Wimbledon winner if he prevails, beating the previous Open Era mark of 31-year-old Arthur Ashe in 1975.

"It's not so important," he said of the age factor. "I would know it if it would be really important to me, but it's not."

What is important for the great Swiss is that he never lost faith in his ability to return to a Grand Slam final.

"I played all the slams, 50 plus now (59 in a row). I think for that you need to be, first of all, healthy physically, but also mentally ready to do it," he said.

"You've got to love the game, because if you don't love it, then it's just going to be too hard. I think that's kept me going quite easily actually, because I know why I'm playing tennis."

Only once have the pair met at Wimbledon when Federer won their 2012 semi-final in four sets.

Only once before have they clashed in a Grand Slam final- at the 2007 US Open where Djokovic, making his first appearance in a final at the majors, lost in straight sets as the Swiss captured a fourth successive title in New York.


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