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'Just weird': Commentator slammed over 'inappropriate' Mirka Federer remarks

Mirka Federer was at the centre of controversy during the Wimbledon final, but not because of anything that happened on the court.

BBC commentator and former British player Andrew Castle was slammed for what many thought were ‘inappropriate’ comments about Roger Federer’s wife.

Mirka was a bundle of nerves during the near-five hour epic, with TV cameras constantly showing her reactions after big points.

Mirka Federer watches on as her husband battles Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images) (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Mirka Federer watches on. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images) (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

They also captured the massive ring she was sporting on her wedding finger, which prompted Castle to comment.

“Doesn’t look like costume jewellery, does it, on the finger?” he said.

TV viewers were fuming that Castle felt the need to comment on Mirka’s appearance, rather than what was taking place on the court.

Federer heartbroken

It should have been the life-changing, career-defining triumph that secured Federer's status as the undisputed tennis GOAT - greatest of all time.

But instead of adding the strawberries and cream to an unparalleled career, Federer departed the All England Club wondering what might have been after squandering successive match points to let slip the longest final in Wimbledon's 152-year history.

Serving at 8-7 and 40-15 in the final set, Federer looked set to defy the doubters and Father Time to become the oldest grand slam champion in half a century of professional tennis.

Alas, for the third time against Novak Djokovic in his record-setting grand slam career, Federer walked off vanquished after blowing match points.

"I don't know what I feel right now. I just feel like it's such an incredible opportunity missed, I can't believe it," Federer said after his 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3) gut-wrencher.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after their epic encounter in the Wimbledon final. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after their epic encounter. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The 48th showdown between Federer and Djokovic had been billed as XLVIII - the Goat Final.

Had Federer won his 21st major, Djokovic, five years the Swiss's junior at 32, would have needed seven more grand slam titles to surpass his 37-year-old great rival - a number most considered too much of a stretch even for the super Serb.

Now, Djokovic has suddenly closed to within four slams of Federer's benchmark tally and has no plans of letting up.

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And magnifying the fine margins, Federer has now lost five major finals in five sets - plus two semis against Djokovic after holding match points before the Serb went on to hoist the trophy on both occasions.

Federer, though, remains philosophical, insisting he no longer fusses about holding the grand slam record.

"Used to be a really, really big deal," he said.

"When you were close, I guess two behind, then eventually you tie, then eventually you break, that was big.

"It's been different since, naturally because the chase is in a different place. I take motivation from different places, not so much from trying to stay ahead because I broke the record.

"If somebody else does, well, that's great for them. You can't protect everything anyway.

"I didn't become a tennis player for that."

with AAP