Roger Federer makes it clear that he will return to Wimbledon next season amid rumours of retirement

A disappointed Roger Federer has made it clear that he will be back at the SW19 courts next season refuting suggestions that this is his last Wimbledon championship. The 34-year-old lost for the first time in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam event, vanquished by Milos Raonic 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6.

Federer took the lead, winning the first two sets, but two double faults from the Swiss maestro allowed Raonic back in the 12<sup>th game. It was just the opening the Canadian needed, and he made full use of it to go and win the last three sets to reach the finals for the first time in his career.

"This one clearly hurts because I felt I could have had it. It was really so, so close. It clearly hurts," as quoted by atpworldtour.com.

"I was looking at the centre court as in thank you for the crowd, thank you for the great feeling that you gave me throughout the Championships. I was fortunate enough to play all my matches on Centre Court. I don't take that for granted.

"That's what I was going through, not thinking this might be my last Wimbledon. I hope to be back on Centre Court, to be very clear to you."

Federer has had an injury plagued season so far, missing the French Open for the first time in his career due to a back problem and has played seven tournaments so far in this calendar year, including Wimbledon. The seven-time champion though is happy with the way he has progressed since coming back from a long injury lay-off, claiming he overachieved at the ongoing Wimbledon Championship.

"It's been a great run for me here, I must say. I totally overachieved here. The match against Cilic was epic. It was fun to be part of that match," he added.