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July 9, 2007
'I'm really pleased he equalled my record'
By Kaz Mochlinski, Telegraph
Having just seen his Wimbledon record of five consecutive titles
equalled, Bjorn Borg could be forgiven if he felt a twinge of regret.
But not so. He predicted Roger Federer could set a new record haul.
"He
is still playing and he is unbelievably good," said Borg. "If he keeps
his motivation and manages to stay away from injuries, I do not see why
he would not be around winning Wimbledon for a few more years yet." If
there was one man on Centre Court who knew exactly how Federer was
feeling as he completed his victory, it was Borg, whose achievement of
27 years ago had been equalled in such a brilliant fashion. Borg had no
doubt, Federer's main feeling would simply be relief. "First
of all, when it happens at last, it is just a very big relief" said the
champion of 1976-80. "To win Wimbledon once is difficult enough. We
both know that feeling, it is the best you can have. To win it for a
fifth time is very hard. For him, the pressure has been very great over
the last two weeks. It is a relief to get through it. "He
handled it very well. To deal with it for the whole of the two weeks
the way he did is very impressive. And then to have to come out and
produce such great tennis in the final to win it was very special. It
was unbelievably good tennis and it made a great final.
"For
him to win the last point must have been very hard controlling his
emotions. But I'm so pleased Roger has equalled my record. He is a
great player and he deserves to have achieved this. And I'm happy to
have been here to see it. "They are definitely the
two best players at the moment. Whenever they face each other they play
unbelievable tennis. They seem to bring out the best from each other.
Just like me and John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. It is a great rivalry.
And it is good for the game. Borg was particularly
delighted to have managed to speak privately with Federer after the new
champion came off Centre Court, saying: "We could share the feeling of
that moment of relief at winning Wimbledon. For both of us, it is one
of our favourite places, where we have played so many great matches. "I
told him I always think back to being on Centre Court at Wimbledon,
even now. When people ask me about my tennis career, I talk to them
about Wimbledon above all." Federer admitted that
he had almost been overwhelmed by the atmosphere, saying: "It was a
huge occasion for me, with huge pressure. Bjorn Borg was sitting there,
Jimmy Connors was sitting there, John McEnroe was sitting there, Boris
Becker was sitting there. It was a big moment for me. "I
was almost crying already when I was up 5-2. So many things go through
your mind. Then, in the end, to lift the trophy, it's a very special
memory. I'll have it for all my life." Federer
acknowledged that what won it for him at the climax was how well he was
able to serve under the most intense pressure: "From the baseline, he
was not outplaying me, but I always thought he had the upper hand for
some reason. My serve kept me in it. I definitely won the big points,
which was most important." He was able to spare a
thought for his opponent: "I win my share. He wins his. It's a good
rivalry I think. It's building up to be one of the great rivalries. I'm
happy it happened this time and I left as the winner. It was perfect."
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