17 Jul 2017

Federer wins record eighth Wimbledon crown

9:38 am on 17 July 2017

Roger Federer has romped to a record eighth Wimbledon title with a straight sets win over the Croatian Marian Cilic, who was reduced to tears in the one-sided contest.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A month shy of his 36th birthday, Federer is now the oldest champion at The All England Club since 1930.

The sublime Swiss enjoyed a 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 triumph in under two hours and, 23 days before his 36th birthday, became the oldest Wimbledon men's singles champion in the professional era.

The third seed achieved the feat without dropping a set during the tournament, continuing an unlikely renaissance that began with the ageless Federer returning from a six-month injury layoff to win the Australian Open earlier this year.

"Not to drop a set it's magical, I can't believe it just yet, it's too much really.

"It's just belief, that I can achieve such heights, I wasn't sure I would ever be here in another final but I always believed I could maybe come back and do it again," Federer said.

Seventh seed Cilic required treatment on a foot injury twice during the match and Federer scented blood, barely putting a foot wrong as he stormed towards his record-extending 19th grand slam title, which he sealed with his eighth ace of the match.

After the defeat Cilic said he would be back to try for the title again.

"I had an amazing journey here, played the best tennis of my life and I really want to thank my team, they gave so much strength to me and of course to all my fans in Croatia.

"It was really tough today and I gave it all and I am hoping definitely that I am going to come back here and try it one more time."

In the day's other final on Centre Court, Jamie Murray and Swiss Martina Hingis beat Finland's Henri Kontinen and Briton Heather Watson 6-4 6-4 to win the mixed doubles final.

- Reuters

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