Federer battling history as age takes toll

Roger Federer surveyed the wreckage of his worst French Open in 10 years and despite his optimism that a record eighth Wimbledon title is within his grasp, history and time are conspiring against him. 

In the immediate aftermath of his 6-7(5/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 defeat to Ernests Gulbis, which was his earliest loss in Paris since 2004 when he was demolished in the third round by Gustavo Kuerten, Federer was talking a good game if not necessarily playing one. 

Victory on Sunday would have put him into a record 42nd Grand Slam quarterfinal and 10th in a row in Paris. Instead, it was the wild-haired, outspoken Gulbis, seven years his junior, who had become the latest likely lad to puncture the Swiss legend. 

‘For every match you can’t necessarily explain why you lost. Sometimes you’re more disappointed; sometimes less,’ said Federer whose appearances in Paris are yielding steadily diminishing returns. Runner-up in 2011, he was a semifinalist in 2012 and was stopped at the quarterfinal last year before Gulbis added further insult with a fourth round exit on Sunday. 

What Federer better not do is review his recent statistics at the majors. Federer won 16 of his 17 Grand Slam titles between 2003 and 2010. Since then he has just his seventh Wimbledon title to show for his efforts. 

‘Stakhovsky, that was a shock because I knew the danger, but I did not expect to lose in Wimbledon in the second round after so many years. 

‘And the defeat against Robredo, that was a difficult year in the US Open. It was probably the toughest for me. It was wet, wet conditions. I was trying to understand where I stood. ‘But this time (against Gulbis) I was in good shape, and I think I could have done better. That’s why I’m probably even more disappointed this time,’ he said.