MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning championship point in his Men’s Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day 14 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Roger Federer has just his 18th Grand Slam singles championship and his first since 2012.

[UPDATE: On July 16, 2017, Federer won his 19th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon]

Enjoy this collection of people who said he would never win another one:

Jackie Bamberger, Yahoo Sports! May 19, 2016:

 The 34-year-old has made changes to his coaching staff and his equipment in recent years, but regardless of whatever tweaks he makes, it’s clear that barring a tremendous run, Federer’s days of winning Grand Slams are likely behind him.
Now, this is not to say that Federer is completely washed up. He won five tournaments in 2015 and finished runner up at last year’s Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. But, Federer’s injuries and the continued dominance of younger players like current No. 1 Novak Djokovic make Federer’s chances of adding to his Grand Slam look slimmer and slimmer by the day.

John McEnroe, December 5, 2013 (via The Daily Mail):

‘He’ll be a factor for as long as he steps on a court but to win 7 best of five set matches and against at least two of the top 3 guys, that’s going to be extremely difficult,’ said McEnroe.

 

‘That’s the part, 2 out of 3 sets can I see him beating one guy? Absolutely. Can I see him winning a Masters tournament? Yeah.
‘I’d be surprised if he didn’t get to the quarters, semis and possibly the final of a Major before he quit.

 

‘To win one? I personally don’t see that. It doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen. Maybe he can use that as motivation. I just don’t think that physically at this stage he is going to be able to overcome the hurdles of those younger, hungrier guys.
‘He’s won 17 majors, I’d be surprised if he won another one, I’d also be surprised if he wasn’t contending.’

 

About Fred Segal

Fred Segal, 35, grew up in the Miami, Florida area and currently lives in Coral Springs, Florida, with his wife and two children. He is currently an attorney practicing in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the law firm Broad and Cassel. Fred is a graduate of the University of Florida and is a rabid, borderline unhealthy, supporter of the Florida Gators.