04/24/24
July 16, 2017
Roger Federer Wins 8th Wimbledon Championship: Roger Federer has won the Wimbledon men's final, defeating Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. It's his eighth title in the tournament, passing Pete Sampras and William Renshaw, and his record 19th Grand Slam win. Federer, 35, last won in 2012.
Federer, 35, last won in 2012.
And when he won then, everyone talked about how it was his last hurrah.
posted by grum@work at 12:02 PM on July 16, 2017
I thought Federer was done as a Wimbledon champion, and thought Tom Brady would retire with three rings. There was a point at which I actually didn't want to see the Pats to go to any more Super Bowls so Brady wouldn't end up being 3-6 in the big game.
I'm digging these mindbending, presumption busting late career surges.
As Jack "1986" Nicklaus has long said, it all starts with putting yourself in a position to win, as he, Brady, and Federer have done so remarkably and consistently in their careers.
Being a runner up a bunch of times to me is a worthy measure of success. It means you had what it took to put yourself in that position. Hello, all the above guys, and hello Mickelson, LeBron, and the Buffalo Bills, among others.
posted by beaverboard at 12:26 PM on July 16, 2017
Hello, all the above guys, and hello Mickelson, LeBron, and the Buffalo Bills, among others.
Two of those in your list have won championships multiple times, so the sting of losing is probably offset somewhat.
The Bills, however....
posted by grum@work at 12:54 PM on July 16, 2017
Buffalo, proud AFL Champions, 1964 and 1965
posted by beaverboard at 03:02 PM on July 16, 2017
LeBron has been in the NBA Finals for seven straight years. It's an incredible feat.
posted by rcade at 04:58 PM on July 16, 2017
LeBron has been in the NBA Finals for seven straight years. It's an incredible feat.
It's the fact he's done it with two different teams during that stretch that makes it amazing.
K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, and Bill Russell went to the finals 8 straight seasons (and won each time) with the Boston Celtics, but LeBron's feat is more impressive to me.
posted by grum@work at 12:36 AM on July 17, 2017
Kelly Slater was world surfing champion 11 times from age 20 to age 39. Both the youngest and oldest to win the title.
A long career in what is normally considered to be a young man's sport.
posted by owlhouse at 05:29 AM on July 17, 2017
Watched the first set and it was obvious Cilic had no chance. Federer looked like he was playing a tuneup against a college freshman.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:45 PM on July 17, 2017
Give Cilic a bit of credit: he was dealing with some foot blistering which hampered his mobility.
posted by yerfatma at 12:30 PM on July 19, 2017
Speaking from experience, I think Cilic's second set problem looked like a panic attack. He was moving like he wanted to be anywhere but in his own body. Your pulse races, you hyperventilate and your extremities get numb as you enter fight-or-flight mode.
If that's what happened, it's nothing short of amazing he was able to keep playing.