BBC host Clare Balding has claimed that Roger Federer will have been “cheering quite hard” for Carlos Alcaraz as his Wimbledon record was protected with the Spaniard’s final victory over Novak Djokovic. The 20-year-old defeated Djokovic 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 to prevent his opponent from winning a fifth consecutive title at SW19.
Victory for the Serb would have seen him draw level with Federer for most male singles titles won ever at Wimbledon with eight, something Balding was keen to point out on the broadcast.”I’ll tell you who has been cheering quite hard, Roger Federer,” she said. “His record is intact, for now.”
Federer is yet to respond to the thrilling five-setter, as he was not in attendance at Centre Court having previously returned to Wimbledon to sit in the Royal Box during the first week of the tournament.
The now-retired Swiss legend was mentioned as always at SW19, as Alcaraz in his winning speech declared that he would be different to Federer and remember to bring his member card the next time he returns to the grounds.
Federer was famously denied entry to the All England Club as he explained in December that as he forgot his member card, he was turned away by security despite winning the tournament eight times – though Alcaraz has pledged to remember.
