• ‘To mark history here really means a lot to me,’ says 35-year-old • Champion credits claycourt break for winning the title again

Roger Federer is already planning his return to Wimbledon next year after cruising to a record-breaking eighth title with a straight-sets victory against a distressed Marin Cilic.

Federer scaled a number of new heights, becoming the oldest male Wimbledon champion in the Open era at 35 and the first player to win the title without dropping a set since Bjorn Borg in 1976.

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Only hours after sealing a 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 victory with an ace, he was looking forward to defending his title. “Honestly, ever since I had the year I had last year, I do think a year ahead of time which tournaments I would like to play,” the Swiss said. “So I totally see myself playing here this time next year.

“Because of what happened last year, I just like to take the opportunity to thank the people in the very moment. There’s never a guarantee, especially not at 35, 36, but the goal is definitely to be here again next year to try and defend.”

Federer was in tears after spotting his four young children who had been brought into the players’ box after the match in time for the presentation ceremony. This was his 19th grand slam title, claimed after one hour and 41 minutes of largely one-sided traffic. His eight titles at Wimbledon take him clear of Pete Sampras and William Renshaw, who both won seven, as the most successful male player to have graced these lawns.

“Wimbledon was always my favourite tournament,” he said, “My heroes walked the grounds here and walked the courts here. Because of them I think I became a better player, too.

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“To mark history here at Wimbledon really means a lot to me just because of all of that really. Funny enough, I didn’t think that much of it throughout today, throughout the trophy ceremony. I was more just so happy that I was able to win Wimbledon again because it’s been a long road. It’s been tough at times, but that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Few could have predicted Federer would own the 2017 Australian and Wimbledon titles after he ended his 2016 season after Wimbledon with a knee injury sustained while running his daughters a bath. He also skipped the claycourt season, including the French Open, to focus on his Wimbledon preparations.

“For me a break really worked wonders. I am still surprised it did as much as it did. I had to take some tough decisions along the way, like pulling out of the French. In hindsight it looks so simple: you just do that to win Wimbledon. But it’s not.”

As a sporting contest the final was effectively over when Cilic went a set and two games down and sobbed into a towel at the changeover. The Croat later revealed he had a nasty blister on the sole of his foot that was restricting his movement. “Every time I had to do a reaction fast, I was unable to do that,” he said.

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“Obviously it was very tough emotionally because I know how much I went through the last few months in preparation. I just felt it was really bad luck.”

Cilic had been in the form of his life coming into this match but the statistic of just 16 winners to 23 unforced errors reflected how outclassed he was by the Swiss. Asked what motivates him to continue playing, Federer credited his wife, Mirka, for allowing him the freedom to do so.

“My wife’s totally fine with me still playing,” he said. “She’s my No1 supporter. She’s amazing. I love playing the big stages still.

“I don’t mind the practice, I don’t mind the travel and because I’m playing a little less I actually get more time in return. I feel like I’m working part-time these days,” Federer said.