LONDON - For all the incredible achievements Roger Federer has made in his incredible career, his exit from Wimbledon on Wednesday was a sad way to go.
But in some ways, watching the eight-time champion walk away, beaten by a younger, faster, man, was a reminder of how great he has been.
Wednesday's avatar was the 39-year-old Federer, still a great player but human, unable to reconcile his best form when needed. It was a dose of reality, what you might expect from a 40-year-old man who was playing his fifth tournament of the year after missing 13 months due to two knee surgeries.
It was what it was supposed to be, not what he and legions of his fans had hoped - and probably dreamed - of his greatest victory would happen upon his return to the scene.
Nearly two decades after his first Wimbledon win, when he defeated big-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis, and two years after his last Wimbledon final, when he had two match points against Novak Djokovic, Federer was at his favorite hunting ground. were back. .
But unlike many occasions over the years, his service didn't get him out of trouble, he didn't have a raft of legs, his faith and aura was rapidly fading, as Hubert Herkaz, 24 years younger than 15, took the chance. Liya and Aye won 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0.
It was a stark contrast to the years when it seemed Federer could do no wrong at Wimbledon.
Between 2003 and 2007, he was untouchable on the grass, waving his way to the title with a swagger like no other, his serve perfect, his forehand ruthless, his unstoppable aura.
And though things began to change in 2008, when Rafael Nadal denied him in that incredible final, he won the title the following year and again in 2012, when he defeated Andy Murray and ruined the Home Nation's hopes once again. .
His seemingly effortless movements were only matched by his ability under pressure, and his game was perfect for grass, his opponents blown into the smog of forehands and flashing backhands, mixed with touch and a brilliant net game.
Only Djokovic's emergence as a dominant force prevented him from adding more Wimbledon titles. He lost to the Serbs in the finals in 2014, 2015 and then, famously, in 2019, when he missed two chances of the match. In between, Federer defeated Marin Cilic to win the title in 2017, which was his last title at Wimbledon.
Will he come back? This is a question that Federer may not know the answer to for some time.
Importantly, he says it will take him some time to understand things, to have some perspective, before making any decisions. Wimbledon was always the goal, just being here was a success, but then again, this is Federer.
"It's a struggle for me," Federer told a post-match press conference. "I knew it would be hard to be honest, but now I need to talk to the team, take the time - don't be rushed by you guys or anyone - take the time and work to make a decision. I hope not; The goal is to play."
He turns 40 next month, an age when tennis players typically hang on to their rackets for long periods of time, the grind of the tour, the harder it takes to stay on top, the harder the recovery between matches than ever before. it occurs.
But it is Federer, who has set so many records in the game. He previously had 20 Grand Slam titles, a mark since being equaled by Nadal and probably soon to be equaled by Novak Djokovic, and his tally of 103 titles is second only to Jimmy Connors' record of 109.
Federer has been written off more times than anyone in his career and especially after so much success at Wimbledon, it would be surprising if he wants his last match to end here 6-0 - only the fifth bagel he has ever seen. ever suffered. His profession
Given his age, Federer is certainly one bad injury away from ending his career, and one day in the not too distant future, he will probably wake up and decide that enough is enough.
Crowds gathered on Center Court on Wednesday, and fans who have followed him around the world for more than two decades will hope that day is still on for some time.