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'Never again': Tennis legend exposes brutal Roger Federer truth

Tennis legend John McEnroe (pictured left) during the Rod Laver Cup and Roger Federer (pictured right) walking off Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Tennis legend John McEnroe (pictured left) has predicted Roger Federer (pictured right) won't win another Grand Slam. (Getty Images)

Roger Federer put in a number of strong performances in his quarter-final run at Wimbledon, but his emphatic dismantling in the second week of the tournament has John McEnroe doubting another title charge for a record 21 Grand Slams.

The 39-year-old withdrew from the French Open in a bid to make a deep run into the second week of Wimbledon after a long lay-off due to a knee injury in 2020.

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But after a few solid wins the 20-time Grand Slam title winner was dismantled 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 at the hands of Hubert Hurkacz.

The match marked the first time ever that Federer suffered a bagel at the All England Club.

While Federer hasn't signalled whether or not it was his last Wimbledon, despite hinting he wanted to play on, his withdrawal from the Olympics raised further doubts.

Federer will be 40 years old by the time the US Open rolls around later this year.

And tennis legend McEnroe does not think Federer has enough in the tank anymore to win a Grand Slam after falling short on his favourite surface.

“As far as the Grand Slam is concerned, I have quite clear ideas about how things will end," McEnroe said.

"I believe that Roger Federer will never win a Grand Slam title again, he will certainly remain at 20, Rafael Nadal will win a maximum of one."

Roger Federer (pictured) attends a press conference after losing to Hubert Hurkacz during their men's quarter-finals match at Wimbledon.
Roger Federer (pictured) attends a press conference after losing to Hubert Hurkacz during their men's quarter-finals match at Wimbledon. (Photo by AELTC/JOE TOTH/AFP via Getty Images) (AELTC/JOE TOTH via Getty Images)

The 39-year-old, who has never won an Olympic singles gold medal, underwent two surgeries on his right knee in 2020 and put it down to his withdrawal from the Tokyo Games.

"During the grass court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee, and have accepted that I must withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games," Federer said in a statement on social media.

McEnroe predicts Novak Djokovic for title race

The common perception is Djokovic, who has now won three of the four Grand Slams this year and is chasing a Golden Slam, will end up on the most titles.

McEnroe can't see much stopping the World No.1 from achieving this feat.

“While Djokovic can last on the circuit for another three or four years and I think he can win up to another five Grand Slams," he added.

"This is my prediction even though it will all depend on the health of each player. If nothing sensational happens, I think Novak Djokovic will be the player with the most Grand Slam titles in history."

Djokovic could become the first man ever to win the Golden Slam (all four Grand Slams and the Olympic Gold in one year) with his path made easier considering a number of top seeds have dropped out of Tokyo.

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