Federer offers no guarantees he will be back at Wimbledon

LONDON - Having reclaimed his place on Wimbledons throne and indelibly etched his name in the tournaments record books, Roger Federer dangled the unpalatable possibility that he may never grace its fabled lawns again. Fourteen years after a pony-tailed Swiss starlet first soared into the tennis ether at The All England Club, Federer returned on Sunday as a 35-year-old veteran to confirm his place as the greatest man ever to play the grasscourt slam with a record eighth title. The 6-3 6-1 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic was a brutal demolition job, as the Croats blistered feet rendered him easy pickings. Yet, having delivered a 19th major title for his army of fans on Centre Court, Federer admitted that his advancing age and last years injury issues meant he could not say for certain that he would be back to defend his crown next year. I hope that Im back, but theres never a guarantee, especially not at 35, he told reporters. Federers resurgence to the games summit will go down as one of sports most remarkable comeback tales. When he exited Wimbledon last year, he spent six months out of tennis through injury. Even the great man himself had doubts as to whether he could ever rekindle the magic that had delivered his last major title in 2012. However, after the doubts were swept away by a sensational victory at the Australian Open in January, Federer made a game-changing career move to skip the claycourt season and focus on his favourite surface. And few calls have ever been vindicated with such a resounding affirmation. I guess you would have laughed if I told you I was going to win two slams this year, he said. I also didnt believe that I was going to win two. A lot has changed in the years since Federer clinched his first grand slam trophy at Wimbledon. The long hair has gone and the fresh face that snatched the title in 2003 has been replaced by the filled-out features of a tour veteran. Yet, as he marched to this years crown without dropping a set, it was clear that the dazzling array of shots and sheer, balletic brilliance of tenniss greatest male player are all still in evidence. Having surpassed Pete Sampras and William Renshaw, who both had seven titles, Federer has earned his place in the record books at a tournament whose history is so important to him. Agencies

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Federer offers no guarantees he will be back at Wimbledon