On June 29, 2021, Adrian Mannarino was in control against Roger Federer on Centre Court, leading by two sets to one at Wimbledon. Then a misstep ended his surge. While split-stepping behind the baseline early in the fourth set, the French left-hander slipped awkwardly, felt a crack in his leg, and, after brief treatment and an attempt to continue, stopped before a deciding set. Federer had been serving at 4-2, 0/15 in the fourth when the injury occurred.
The Impact of Injury on Mannarino’s Career
The timing made the setback sting even more: it happened on Mannarino’s birthday. He left London the next day on the Eurostar barely able to walk, with his coach hauling their luggage. The injury sidelined him for two months, erasing what he felt was a real chance to finish the job—especially given how different the matchup looked from their 2018 Wimbledon meeting, when Federer swept through in straight sets. By 2021, the Swiss great was returning from multiple knee surgeries and no longer the untouchable force he once was on Centre Court.
Mannarino still views the fall as one of the harshest moments of his career, a reminder of sport’s unpredictability and of opportunities that do not return. Federer advanced to the quarter-finals that year before losing to Hubert Hurkacz in what became his final Wimbledon match.
Time has given Mannarino perspective, and his record on grass has only grown stronger. Now 38, he entered this Wimbledon with the third-most tour-level grass-court wins among active players, trailing only Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic. He continues to add to that tally and is scheduled to face world No. 6 Alex de Minaur on Thursday for a place in the third round.
As Mannarino continues his journey, fans are eager to see how he adapts and overcomes past challenges on the court. His resilience and experience make him a formidable opponent, and his future matches are highly anticipated.