Eight-time champion Roger Federer was sensationally knocked out of Wimbledon on Wednesday, surrendering a two-sets lead and a match point to lose at the hands of South African Kevin Anderson.
Defending champion Federer, chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, lost a Court One epic, 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 as 32-year-old Anderson became the first South African in the Wimbledon semi-finals since Kevin Curren in 1983.
The thin line between victory and defeat.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2018
Until today, Roger Federer had never lost at #Wimbledon having held match point... pic.twitter.com/GXtjW8Dkr7
“Down two sets to love I tried my best to keep fighting. Beating Roger Federer here at Wimbledon will be one I remember, especially in such a close match,” Anderson said.
“I kept telling myself to keep believing. I said today is going to be my day.”
In a nail-biting four hour and 13 minute classic, it was 36-year-old Federer’s earliest exit at the All England Club since his shock second round defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013.
'I had to keep telling myself that today was going to be my day'
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 11, 2018
Kevin Anderson on beating defending champion Roger Federer#bbctennis #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/YcZAoWCGJA
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the stunning loss, from the numbers to the jokes.
Federer had a match point in the tenth game of the third set....2:18 later, Kevin Anderson had a match point. And took it #Wimbledon
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 11, 2018
Federer had won 35 consecutive sets at #Wimbledon before he lost 3 to Anderson - sport!
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) July 11, 2018
Until today, Roger Federer had not lost from two sets up since the 2011 US Open semi-finals vs Novak Djokovic. Was on a 94-win streak from this position. #Wimbledon
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) July 11, 2018
Fifth time Roger Federer has lost a match after winning in the first two sets.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 11, 2018
Lost to..
Kevin Anderson in #Wimbledon2018
Novak Djokovic in 2011
Jo Wilfried Tsonga in 2011
David Nalbandian in 2005
Lleyton Hewitt in 2003#Wimbledon
1st time in 9 years that Federer finds himself at 6-6 in a 5th set. Last time vs Andy Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon final https://t.co/wD0DRplpHv
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 11, 2018
Federer picks up another loss at a major after having match point, which reinforces the reality that when he does lose in big tournaments, it is almost always by the smallest of margins, which is one of the underrated great aspects of his shimmering career.#JackNicklausOfTennis
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) July 11, 2018
Did Kevin Anderson just beat Roger Federer? 🇿🇦 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 #Wimbledon
— Baby Brother (@Blaklez) July 11, 2018
Anderson was brilliant.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) July 11, 2018
But something not right with Federer late on. He was playing safe, stiff tennis. Either his form had gone, his confidence had gone or his back had gone. Or a combination of the above.
Kevin Anderson was once known as a player who couldn't handle the pressure moments. He served from behind in the 5th set 11 times before breaking and closing out Federer. Incredible nerve. #Wimbledon
— Jonathan Newman (@Tennis_Jon) July 11, 2018
TAKE A BOW KEVIN ANDERSON 🙌🏽
— Chad Klate (@CKlatey) July 11, 2018
Superb display of guts and determinations! Amazing what you can achieve when you believe and never give up!
Flying the flag into #Wimbledon semi-finals 🇿🇦👏🏽👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/LPICD8NzZ5
And the one quote fans wanted to hear
Almost 37yo Roger Federer says his goal is "to come back here next year" #Wimbledon
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) July 11, 2018
The impeccably mannered, gracious @rogerfederer came immediately to interview room after 5-sets @WImbledon loss, answered myriad questions about why he lost & has now moved on to answering similar Q's in French. He will follow in Swiss-German. #Respect
— Liz Clarke (@lizclarketweet) July 11, 2018
And jokes followed, of course
— Troll Tennis (@TrollTennis) July 11, 2018
London Police have received reports of an old man wandering about @Wimbledon in a confused state claiming to be Roger Federer.
— ton skeel (@naughtyT) July 11, 2018
Someone should shout "Federer lost" in the middle of Rafa-Delpo. And then we should see Rafa's reaction
— Vatsal Tolasaria (@Wowtsal) July 11, 2018
And there were the inevitable connections to the Fifa World Cup, more specifically #ItsComingHome
1966: Federer doesn’t make wimbledon final
— Liam Broady (@Liambroady) July 11, 2018
England win the World Cup 🏆
2018: Federer doesn’t make wimbledon final
... IT’S COMING HOME
1966: Defending Wimbledon champion Roy Emerson goes out in the quarter-finals.
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 11, 2018
2018: Defending Wimbledon champion Roger Federer goes out in the quarter-finals.
🤔#bbctennis pic.twitter.com/6JAUiRnpPJ
📆 1966:
— SPORF (@Sporf) July 11, 2018
🎾 Defending #Wimbledon champion Roy Emerson goes out in the quarter-finals.
📆 2018:
🎾 Defending #Wimbledon champion Roger Federer goes out in the quarter-finals.
🏴 It’s Coming Home! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/hGsCtHPLSs