Roger Federer claimed his only junior Major title at Wimbledon 1998. The young Swiss experienced early losses at the All England Club in 1999 and 2000, failing to bring his A-game and changing that in 2001. The 19-year-old defeated four rivals to find himself in the quarter-final, the second in a row at Majors after Roland Garros.
Roger stole the headlines after beating seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in the fourth round, prevailing in five thrilling sets to introduce himself to the tennis world. The youngster struggled with a groin injury and took painkillers to play matches.
Roger took down Xavier Malisse in five sets in the second round, fending off 22 out of 26 break chances to prevail in the decider and avoid another early exit.
Roger Federer struggled with an injury at Wimbledon in 2001.
Roger won two tie breaks against Jonas Bjorkman in the following encounter to set the clash with Pete Sampras that went to the distance.
After three hours and 41 minutes, Federer dethroned the Wimbledon legend after three hours and 41 minutes of flawless attacking tennis. A teenager claimed the decider 7-5 to enter the quarter-final. Battling for a place in the semi-final, Federer lost three tight sets versus Tim Henman to end his remarkable run in the last eight.
Not stopping there, Roger played at home in Gstaad a week later. He worsened the injury, skipped all the action ahead of the US Open and never found a proper form by the end of the season. Roger spoke about his struggles at Wimbledon after reaching the semi-final in Miami the next year.
The Swiss stated he would love to win the matches more efficiently in a couple of months at the All England Club, reducing the number of pre-Wimbledon events and hoping to be fit for the grass Major. “Last year, I had a tough campaign at Wimbledon after struggling physically.
I had a five-setter in the second round, another challenging match in the third, and the toughest one against Pete Sampras in the last 16. I played with painkillers because of the injury, and I would love to have easier matches in the opening rounds this year, also playing one tournament less before Wimbledon. Hopefully, I will be fit for Wimbledon,” Roger Federer said.
