"It's Magical." Roger Federer wins record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title at 35 years old, 19th Grand Slam

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Roger Federer, at 35, wins Wimbledon for a record eighth time
WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer, who won Wimbledon at 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 30, won it again Sunday at 35, further cramming his name into a men’s tennis record book in which it appears almost as rampantly as it would in a biography.

At 35 years, 342 days old, he became the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era, as well as the oldest Grand Slam champion since Ken Rosewall won the Australian Open in 1972, a category in which Federer surpassed the 2017 Australian Open champion Roger Federer. He also extended his Grand Slam title total to 19 to arrange an arrival in New York in late August with a stunning yet realistic chance at 20, which would have seemed farfetched only six months ago.

Back in mid-January, Federer had just come off a six-month hiatus in deference to a left knee that kept yelling for attention on court while he tried to plot strategic points. With that knee rested, Federer up and won the Australian Open from a No. 17 seed, and set off on a year he has called "a fairy tale"”

"Better than holding the trophy and winning today is to be healthy," said Federer, who didn't play in 2016 after his Wimbledon semifinal appearance because of a knee injury. "Not dropping a set, the tournament I played is magical. I can't really believe it yet."

The Swiss third seed won 6-3 6-1 6-4 as seventh seed Marin Cilic struggled with a blister on his left foot and broke down in tears during the second set.
"It is cruel sometimes," Federer said of Cilic's physical difficulties. "But Marin fought well and is a hero, so congratulations on a wonderful tournament."

Federer surpasses Pete Sampras and William Renshaw, who won their seventh titles in 2000 and 1889 respectively, with only Marina Navratilova still ahead in terms of Wimbledon singles titles on nine.

He has won two of the three Grand Slam titles so far this year, having returned from a six-month break to win the Australian Open in January.

With 19 major titles he extends his lead over Rafael Nadal in the men's game to four, and now stands joint-fourth on the all-time list with Helen Wills Moody, five behind Margaret Court on 24.

Boris Becker, three-time Wimbledon champion: "We can't emphasise enough all the records Federer has broken, and with tough competition.

"Everybody is younger than him and he finds the way to win easily, and do it consistently on every surface, apart from clay. It's just impossible to fathom. You think, where is he going to go now? Will it be 20 Grand Slams at the US Open?"

Tim Henman, four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist: "Because Federer makes it look so easy and the technique is effortless, people take for granted the training that he does. He's meticulous and at the age of 35 he knows what works for him.

"I've seen him in the locker room doing all the exercises for his lower back, which he can struggle with. He can struggle with his shoulder as well. I think fundamentally he loves what he does. This is his hobby, not his job. If it stays that way, there's no reason why he can't keep playing."

Wimbledon 2017: Flawless Roger Federer claims record eighth tournament crown
It's official. Roger Federer is the greatest of all time on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon after claiming a record eighth men's singles crown with victory over Marin Cilic.

Prior to Sunday's final, Federer was tied on seven titles with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw. His 6-3 6-1 6-4 victory, however, sees him move clear on his own at the top of the list.

It has been a sensational return to form for the 35-year-old, who has thrilled the crowds at SW19 over the past two weeks, the Swiss marching on as the likes of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal fell by the wayside.

While his rivals slog it out on the ATP Tour, Federer has begun to pick and choose his tournaments and opted to miss the entire clay-court season to focus on Wimbledon.

And what a good decision it has been. He is now an eight-time champion. Mission accomplished. Greatest of all time.

His elegant backhands, whipped forehands and general grace around the court were a joy to behold. If his place in history was ever questioned, there can be no doubt he is now the best of the best.

Federer's Wimbledon journey began way back in 1998 when, as a 16-year-old, he lifted the boy's title with victory over Irakli Labadze and also won the doubles in the same year.

His first years in the main draw ended with early exits but in 2001 he made his mark with a fourth-round victory over seven-time and defending champion Pete Sampras - the love affair had begun.

Tim Henman stopped him progressing beyond the last eight but two years later nothing could halt the young pony-tailed Swiss going all the way, the first of his titles arriving with victory over Mark Philippoussis.

That began a five-year spell of dominance that cemented his status as a Center Court favorite - but probably made Andy Roddick sick of the sight of him, as the American lost two successive finals.

Federer's epic 2008 defeat to Rafael Nadal brought the streak to an end but when faced with Roddick again in 2009, he moved onto six titles.

Before this year, his previous final win was in 2012 when he left Murray in tears, although the Briton gained revenge in the Olympic Games final a month later.

The record eighth title proved elusive in 2014 and 2015, as Djokovic beat him in successive finals, and some questioned whether he would ever edge past Sampras given his advancing years.

Those who doubted him were made to eat their words in 2017, though, as a refreshed Federer ploughed through the men's draw and took apart an out-of-sorts Cilic in the final with another glorious display.

So step forward Federer the great. Men's tennis has never seen a talent like him, maintaining such a high level of performance for such a prolonged period amid an era of intense competition.

Sunday was the crowning glory in his 29th grand slam final as he raced to a straight-sets win that takes him onto 19 major titles and sees him become the oldest man to win Wimbledon in the Open era at 35 years and 342 days.

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Image courtesy Sports Illustrated, LaPresse, and Mirror UK