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Roger Federer played his first Grand Slam quarterfinals at back-to-back tournaments at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2001. The Swiss was unable to repeat those results a year later, experiencing early losses and hoping for a better run in 2003.
Federer captured the first grass court title in Halle a few weeks before Wimbledon and went to the All England Club as one of his favourites. Roger only dropped one set against Hyung-Taik Lee, Stefan Koubek and Mardy Fish to meet in week two.
The Swiss defeated Feliciano López in the fourth round despite a serious back injury that nearly cost him the first set and perhaps the entire match. Federer defeated an injured Sjeng Schalken in the quarterfinals to set up the highly anticipated clash against Andy Roddick, with two youngsters battling it out for their first Major final.
Federer played at a high level to score a 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in one hour and 43 minutes. Roger avoided a set point in the tie break and never looked back in sets two and three. Roddick missed only two break opportunities early in the second set and struggled to keep up with his opponent.
The American suffered three breaks that propelled Roger over the finish line. With 34 service winners and a potent 40 from the field, Federer made only 35 errors to tame his shots well and mount the pressure on the other side.
After the match, Roger felt confident after such a solid performance, proving that he is Major material and hoping for more in the title clash against Mark Philippoussis. The Swiss was willing to try again in the following years if he lost the final, which was not the case.
"I still have one game to play, and if I don't win the title, I will try to come back and succeed in the next few years."
Federer visited Wimbledon
During the presentation of the Sports Awards in Switzerland, Roger Federer evoked the famous ceremony of the Laver Cup.
The Swiss in front of his family even revealed that there were several scenarios depending on his emotional state. “In fact, with my agent Tony Godsick, we had planned a plan B if ever I had not been able to say a word.
I must say that I was a little anxious before everything fell into place. At first, a few weeks before, I wasn't even sure I could play so I thought I was going to have to show up in a suit and tie. Then I knew I could do a double and that relaxed me a bit.
On the day, despite the tears and the emotions, I managed to say a few words, so it was great, and I think that in the end I fought well (laughs)."