Roger Federer has the same life goals as most, but he’s keeping them largely private.
But the Swiss master is making no such secret of his burning desire to land an elusive 18th grand slam crown after moving majestically into a record-equalling 14th Wimbledon quarter-final.
Back to his silky best, Federer crushed in-form American Steve Johnson 6-2 6-3 7-5 on Monday to confirm his status as tennis’s most enduring champion and set up a last-eight showdown with Marin Cilic.
The victory was his 306th at the grand slams, matching Martina Navratilova’s all-time record mark, and drew Federer level with Jimmy Connors as the equal-most prolific men’s quarter-finalist ever to grace London’s hallowed grass courts.
“Never thought I was going to have such a great career here at Wimbledon ever since I turned up here in ’98,” Federer said.
“It’s probably going to be something I’m happy I achieved looking back when it’s all said and done.”
Yet a month shy of his 35th birthday, Federer still craves more, even if he was slightly taken aback when asked what more he’d like to achieve in life and on a tennis court.
“In life? In life there’s so much more to come. In tennis, tennis there’s not that much more. I hope there is a bit more in tennis. I hope I can win Wimbledon one more time. That would be nice,” he said.
“In life, gee, I need to speak to my wife about that one, not with you in the press.
“I don’t know, I’m looking forward to a lovely life with my kids and my wife, travel, I don’t know, unbelievable moments.”
Federer treated fans – including former coach Stefan Edberg watching from the seven-times champion’s courtside box – to several unbelievable moments in casting aside Johnson in 97 minutes.
The third seed emphatically dismissed concerns of being underdone after an injury-plagued lead-up to post his fourth consecutive straight-sets win.
“I was very happy how I played because Steve picked up some nice confidence over the last few weeks and you could see it,” Federer said of his vanquished opponent who’d won 10 of his previous 11 grasscourt matches.
Favourite to capitalise on Novak Djokovic’s shock removal from the top half of the draw and reach his 11th final at the All England Club, Federer is rightfully wary of ninth seed Cilic.
“He brushed me off the court like I was nothing in the semis of the US Open a few years back, so I hope to get him back,” Federer said.
Cilic progressed when fifth seed Kei Nishikori retired with a rib injury while trailing 6-1 5-1.
Djokovic’s third-round conqueror Sam Querrey also progressed.
The big-serving American only faced one break point all match in ousting Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to book a showdown with sixth seed Milos Raonic.
Sixth-seeded Raonic recovered from two sets down for the first time in his career to eliminate 11th seed David Goffin 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.
World No.2 Andy Murray remains on track for a repeat of his 2012 final with Federer after crushing Australian hopes with a 7-5 6-1 6-4 thumping of Nick Kyrgios.
Murray will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday after the 12th seed benefited from fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet lasting just six games before succumbing to a back injury.
