Wimbledon: All Roger ?! – Times Online

Roger Federer has built around itself an unprecedented tennis star cult. Yet he is a blessing for his sport. But what happens when it stops?

Updated July 9, 2015 12:52 clock

Roger Federer in Wimbledon | © Tim Ireland / picture alliance / dpa

The scramble for the best seats were long gone. On the famous hill at the north end of the All England Club, the hard-boiled had spread early on Wednesday morning on the brought picnic blankets and the best view backed up the video wall. Hours later, only Andy Murray would be seen there, who denied to the 100 meters distant Centre Court his quarterfinal match against Vasek Pospisil and the Canadians with 6: 4, 7: 5, 6. 4 defeated

Some had been queuing hours for a ticket in the famous “Queue” in the adjoining Wimbledon Park, at least so to be able to follow the game when they could have none of the coveted Centre Court tickets snag. And it also could not be put off that the London Underground was on strike that day. Or that once again rain showers were announced. It is “Murray Mania” in Wimbledon, and just love the British simply.

But there is one, for taking the fans far greater exertions, even on Murray’s home territory: Roger Federer. On Friday both now meet in the semifinals. The second semi-final then deny Novak Djokovic and Richard Gasquet.

The blessing may soon be a curse

The duel Murray against Federer in London have all longed for. The Swiss gets itself in Wimbledon most applause and is considered one of the best players of all time venerated – everywhere. The 33-year-old has built a cult of celebrity around, which is so unprecedented in tennis. And Federer has become a crowd-pulling world brand, with no other athlete, and Murray certainly not even close to be able to compete. . It is a boon for the sport of tennis, but soon it will become a curse

“The sport is bigger than any player,” said Federer, who his quarterfinals yesterday problems with 6, 5: 3, 7 6: 2 mastered against Gilles Simon. “If I do not win a tournament, it’s just different. There will always be the next superstar. The tennis tour will be fine, when I’m gone.” But this is pure understatement of the seven-time Wimbledon winner.

Federer is aware when he stops in the foreseeable future, the Tour of the drive is missing. “No Federer, no tennis,” says, for example the Polish Beata Kumor-Wierzba that after traveling with her husband for four years her idol. Everywhere you are. “Roger has just great, on and off the court,” they swarm. And since they are not alone, the group of Federer fans is now huge.

fifth on the list of highest-earning athletes

Boris Becker recently had still doubted, Federer that actually could be so nice all the time. But for fans of the Swiss is authentic, and so they choose him for twelve years by a large majority the most popular players of the tour. The most loyal of fans camp for days in Wimbledon Park for tickets, also paid 130 euros on Wednesday to watch their favorite on Court 1. And the red color predominated in the stands, the RF monogram was well-represented on the caps, shirts, flags and posters tinkered. From all over the world they come, by no means only from Switzerland.

Federer is in the Forbes list of highest-earning athletes Although only fifth, but with its annual 52 million euros from sponsors revenue can neither footballer Cristiano Ronaldo still Boxer Floyd Mayweather match.

Andy Murray’s own fault that he earned only 14 million euros with advertising and is ranked 64. After he became the first Briton for 77 years in 2013 in Wimbledon, he might have can be marketed perfectly. But he did not want. “Andy does not want to be possessed,” says his manager Matt Gentry.

Federer against braces every day an enormous program with sponsors obligations, it can not act as a duty. And so the Swiss are mainly luxury brands snake. Federer has long been a world star, not just tennis players. Yesterday took Hollywood star Bradley Cooper in Federer’s box space. “For my fans there will be different later, but there are still other players,” says Federer.

But it may be doubted that as soon someone can fill this large gap. With Murray feverishly with seven million TV viewers, yet only in the UK. And if the international Fanmassen fail and the sponsors are based elsewhere, you will see if sometimes an athlete is not yet greater than his sport.