Tennis fans experienced an unexpected sight at Wimbledon this past Friday. During the fifth set of his semifinal loss to Milos Raonic, the usually graceful Roger Federer slipped on a slick part of the court, taking a heavy tumble. As many tennis commentators noted, despite the fact that the court is made of grass, it hurts to fall on it just as much as a hard court.
Federer remained on the ground for a few seconds before getting up. He had a quick treatment on that knee before continuing, yet he did not look the same for the duration of the match. Of chief concern, the 34-year-old’s left knee, which hit the court pretty hard. Immediately, all focus turned to the Swiss Maestro’s knee, the same knee that Federer injured in Australia in January.
During his post-match press conference, the world number three did not want to focus on his knee, saying, “I just hope with the slip I had in the fifth, I'm going to be fine tomorrow and beyond. Just I hope I didn't hurt myself. Then, is it a three‑day thing, is it a 24‑hour thing or is it more? I don't know at this point. I hope it's not so bad. I walked it off. I was able to finish.”
“But I don't slip a lot,” Federer continued. “I don't ever fall down. It was a different fall for me than I've ever had. With the body that's been, you know, playing up this year, I just hope I'm going to be fine. I believe I am, but I'll know more tomorrow when I wake up.”
Following the incident, Roger Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, provided some great reassurance to Federer fans around the world.
Godsick: Fed-Express did not do any additional damage to knee
A few days after Federer’s fall on Centre Court, Godsick provided relief to the tennis world, making it known that Federer’s knee suffered no damage after his fall.
Fed-Express moves on to Toronto for 2016 Roger’s Cup
The Swiss number one can now carry on with his season as planned. His next stop will be Toronto, where he will compete at the 2016 Roger’s Cup. The tournament is part of the 2016 US Open Series. Federer will be seeded third in Toronto, barring an unexpected withdraw from either Novak Djokovic or reigning Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.
The Swiss Maestro is a two-time champion at the Roger’s Cup, taking the title in 2004 and 2006. He defeated Andy Roddick in 2004, 7-5, 6-3, and Richard Gasquet in 2006 by a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
He has reached the finals twice since then, losing to Murray in 2010 and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014. Murray is the defending champion at the Roger’s Cup.