Yes surely he has, but is he out of the game? Certainly a Big NO.
He has proved it definitely against Murray, that he still has got somewhat of his magic that has won him all his 17 Grand Slams – with the flair he had throughout that semi-final match, with his backhands (not really his comfort zone), he has stunned the 2013 winner and how. Yes he did fall a long way short against a relentless athlete in Novak in the final, but again he tried his level best to match the energy of his fellow 28-year old, but he was always going to fail to get that much amount of energy, which Novak has reservoirs of.
Again he showed some glimpses of his prime era, especially in the second set when he was falling behind in the tie breaker and came back strongly to cut 3-set points to grab the set. But in the end Novak’s determination (one from the advertisement) proved too strong for Federer to resist. I would have love this competition a few years back – to see how Federer manages to cut down the energy of the opponents with his master-class strokes. Now, although that is too much to ask for a guy who has certainly past his prime. Although, Great man define by the character they show on the pitch and that’s exactly what Federer has shown throughout the tournament – on his beloved Grass and centre court. Probably this was his best chance to get that illusive number 18, but against a determined and tireless Djoker, I would still say he has done everything he could. He has put all his efforts and entertained us with some of his elegant shots. Losing is always a disappointing thing especially when you are so habitual to win and this was a desperate time for him. He really needed this one to hold and kiss it like old days and engraved a name that has been for so many years ruled the centre court. I still wish he come back strongly next year, but then I think Novaks, Murrays having age on their sides will come back stronger. The thing that has kept the Great guy in the game is his calmness and his stroke-plays, hope he can get the tune right and come back as strong as ever.
No doubt Novak deserved the way he cut down the fierce forehands of Federer, let us congratulate the oldest man to win 9 Grand Slam titles and hope he gets to his 10th sooner.
