Roger Federer: More concerned the World Cup final will have issues because of the Wimbledon final

Roger Federer: More concerned the World Cup final will have issues because of the Wimbledon final

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Roger Federer joked about how the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia will face issues due to a clash of timings with the Wimbledon final that will take place in England. Wimbledon officials were adamant as they revealed that the men’s final will start at its traditional time as decided.

The FIFA 2018 World Cup has shaped up to be one of the greatest sporting fiasco’s in the last decade or so, and with the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, and Argentina knocked out of the tournament in the early stages, it will be interesting to see who lifts the trophy from the last four - England, France, Belgium, and Croatia.

But for sports enthusiasts in general, there will be a huge dilemma on July 15 as they will have to choose between the World Cup final in Russia or the Wimbledon final in England as both have been scheduled to be played during the same timings. 

However, Swiss tennis legend and top-ranked singles player, Roger Federer joked about how the FIFA officials should be worried about a decrease in viewership due to the clash of timings as opposed to the other way round.

“I’m more concerned the World Cup final will have issues because the Wimbledon final is going on,” said the eight-time champion, after seeing off France’s Adrian Mannarino in straight sets.

“They’ll hear every point, wow, love-15, 15-30. The players [at the World Cup] are going to look up in the crowd and not understand what’s going on at Wimbledon!

“That’s how important Wimbledon is to me and to us over here. Maybe you should ask the questions over in Russia, how they’re going to feel about Wimbledon being played at the same time,” Federer was quoted as saying by AFP. 

The All England Club was asked to rethink its 2 pm (6.30 pm IST) start time for Sunday’s men’s singles final as the football showdown Moscow will be kicking off at 4pm in the UK (8.30 pm IST).

But wimbledon officials insisted again on Monday that the men’s final will begin as planned earlier at its traditional time despite of a potential England World Cup victory.

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