• Wimbledon

Federer set for rest after revealing injury struggles

ESPN staff
June 30, 2010
Roger Federer is set for a rest following his premature exit from Wimbledon © Getty Images
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Roger Federer has revealed he has been playing with an injury after falling to a shock quarter-final defeat to No. 12 seed Tomas Berdych.

The six-time champion, who has played in every Wimbledon final since 2003, was outplayed by an inspired Berdych as he fell 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4.

Federer showed no signs of ailment and did not call the trainer at any stage during the match, but revealed in his post-match press conference that his performance had been hampered by a back and leg injury.

"I couldn't play the way I wanted to play, " he said. "I am struggling a little bit with a back and leg issue. That doesn't quite allow me to play the way I would like to play. I'm looking forward to some rest.

"You just don't feel as comfortable. You cannot concentrate on each and every point because you do feel the pain sometimes. Then you play differently than the way you want to play.

"Under the circumstances, I think I played a decent match. But I have been feeling bad for the last two, three matches now. It's just not good or healthy to play under these kinds of conditions.

"The back has been feeling stiff for the last five, six days, really badly. It's something that has been lingering on.

Federer was bidding to equal Pete Sampras' record of seven Wimbledon titles, but after falling at the quarter-final stage of successive Grand Slams, the former world No. 1 is set drop to third in the world rankings on Monday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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