Is This The End For Roger Federer?

Federer left with much to ponder

Roger Federer's dream of an 8th Wimbledon title was ended this evening in sensational style. Fans will have watched on in disbelief as the great Roger Federer, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, failed to find a way to beat Ukrainian and World Number 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky. 

The returning Wimbledon Champion crashed out in four sets, 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) and became another one of the early casualties at this years Wimbledon after two-time Champion Rafael Nadal exited on Monday.

It must be said that despite Federer not being at his best Stakhovsky played the match of his life, implementing his serve and volley game to perfection. He dominated on serve as Federer's struggled to create break-points chances as he only managed to break Stakhovsky once in the match, coming in the final set.

This defeat will have saddened many and maybe even brought a tear to the eye of his fans as they sense the possible end of a great career. Will this be the Sampras moment for Federer, who never played another Wimbledon after his second round exit to George Basti in 2002? Federer has often stated that he intends to play tennis for years to come, but can he come back from this? 

  

After Federer had edged the first set tie-break, surely he would now go on and dominate using his experience and class to see it out in 3 straight? However Stakhovsky, 27, trusted his game plan and continued to execute it brilliantly. Serving terrifically he took the second set after another tie-break.  

Federer struggled to find top form

For a man on centre court against the seven-time champion Stakhovsky looked calm and controlled. The consistency of his play was incredible to see, and may it difficult to understand his current ranking. Having got the break he served out the third set.

Suddenly you could sense even the crowd were doubting Federer's future in the tournament. After the exit of Nadal, and the shocks that had preceded this match with a number of top players crashing out, could Wimbledon have no Nadal or Federer in the third round.

Having been broken again early in the fourth set, the exit of Federer was becoming increasing likely. But he finally broke to get the set back on serve. However Stakhovsky continued to play well and after saving a set-point at 5-6 down, forced the match into a third tie-break.

Soon Stakhovsky had two match points. Federer saved the the first with a terrific forehand but after another unforced error, this time a poor backhand went wide, the unthinkable had happened.

  

It was Federer's first defeat by a player ranked outside the top 100 since losing to 101-ranked Richard Gasquet at Monte Carlo in 2005 and the earliest defeat for a defending champion at Wimbledon since Leyton Hewitt in 2002.

    

The defeat also brought a end to Federer's incredible record of reaching 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, stretching back to Federer first round exit at the French Open in 2003. It was also Federer's earliest exit at Wimbledon since 2002.

It is therefore not surprising that fans and journalists have seen this as the end of an era. Suddenly for Federer, 31, 'father time' has caught up with him and his ability to regularly challenge for Grand Slam titles is over. 

Questions of Federer's decline started a few years ago. Having only won 2 of his 17 Grand Slams since the start of 2010, he has been seen as a continuing fading light. His failure to win a Grand Slam in 2011, signalled for some the changing of the guard with Novak Djokovic taking the great mans place. 

However he defied these critics with his Wimbledon win of 2012. But can he come back from this?

2013 had already been a tough year for Federer with only one title to date coming at Halle two weeks ago.   

This was a crushing defeat  but one Federer will not panic about. He will now be looking at the US Open, but can he make a impression there? Is he still capable of playing to the standard required over a  two week period to win a grand slam? 

At 31, is the motivation still there for Federer? He has won so much, does he have the willingness to put in the hours? 

Is this the last time at Wimbledon for Federer?

All of these questions will continue to be asked and he will be under some pressure going into the US Open however he will not be alone. Rafael Nadal will also be under pressure, can he perform on a hard court or will the knees give way? Is this the end of the 'big 4'? Hopefully both Federer and Nadal can return and perform at the US Open. 

Another point it that unbelievably Federer could now drop to as low as 6th in the ATP rankings by the time the US Open comes round. This will make his US Open even tougher. Federer has failed at the quarter-finals of the US in the last two years, how far will he get this year?

Federer has spoken of how he plans to play for years to come and even indicated he wanted to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. However if this becomes the norm and he struggles to get past the early rounds will he want to continue having been at the top for so long. That will be the true test. In searching for that next Grand Slam will he in fact damage his legacy if he ends with a series of early knock outs? 

It is clear Federer still believes he can compete for Grand Slams but is he deluding himself? Many believe this to be the case, however as much as the fans do not want to see this, it is a fact of life. He is without doubt a fading light but one who can still beat the best. The level he set in the mid-2000's he would never be able to maintain. However he is still a joy to watch and one the crowds always look towards. He is a true artist in his style compared to the sheer strength, power and endurance style of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. It is very rare to watch an unset in an individual sport and genuinely feel that the crowd and millions of people around the world watching are sad for the outcome. Especially in Britain where we love to cheer on an underdog.

It would be very naive to write Federer off, as there is no doubt he has the experience and the class to beat the best. He clearly does have a back problem but I hope he comes back to form at the US making the latter stages. Federer has done so much for tennis. He raised the level of tennis. He has lead an incredible era of tennis and driven the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray to produce some fantastic tennis. These three men have subsequently raised the level which has lead to a magnificent era of tennis. 

I do not think anyone should hope for the retirement of Federer as this will be a very sad day. His presence brings so much to a tournament with his style of play and aura. However it is always sad to see one once so great lose his edge. It happens for example with Muhammad Ali and ever Pete Sampras. To watch the decline of a sporting great is tough and why I have heard people say Federer should have retired for over a year now. It is almost that people want to remember him as a great and not an old man who went on too long. However for me he will always be a great no matter how long he plays for. 

There is no doubt Federer will have plenty of thinking to do over the next few months as to his future in the game. Bow out at the top or play on because you can? Honestly I think he will continue but only time will tell if he can recapture that vintage form.

There is no question for me that Federer will continue to have plenty of fans that will follow and support him until the end and I hope that such support coupled with his own desire to win will help to spur him on future successes. 

I for one hope that this is not quite the end of Federer’s marvellous career.  I, for one, believe he can recapture his best form and win tournaments and even again challenge for Grand Slam titles. 

He may be being perceived in the media as a fading light but never has a fading light shone so brightly as Roger Federer.