On This Day in 2017: Roger Federer secures eighth Wimbledon title

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Roger Federer claimed a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title with victory over Marin Cilic on this day in 2017.

Five years after tying with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw, Federer defeated a tearful Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 to become the first man to lift the trophy eight times.

The Swiss won Wimbledon every year between 2003 and 2007 before adding further titles in 2009, 2012 and 2017.

Croatian Cilic began well but revealed later he was hampered by a painful blister on his left foot and he was left sobbing on his chair after three games of the second set.

Federer scored an eighth ace on match point to clinch his 19th grand-slam title and described winning Wimbledon as something to savour.

He said: “It is very special. Wimbledon was always my favourite tournament, will always be my favourite tournament.

“My heroes walked the grounds here and walked the courts here. Because of them I think I became a better player, too. To mark history here at Wimbledon really means a lot to me just because of all of that.

“To be Wimbledon champion for an entire year now is something I can’t wait to savour and enjoy.”

Federer won his final grand-slam trophy at the Australian Open the following year and after struggling with a knee problem for three years, he announced his retirement from tennis in September 2022.

He still holds the record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles crowns, but Novak Djokovic sits just one behind him.