'If you keep believing, you can go far'

'I always believed.'
'I kept on believing and dreaming I could get back.'

Tennis legend Roger Federer while hailing his record breaking eighth Wimbledon triumph as one of the most magical moments of his illustrious career, revealed the secret of his success following his return to the circuit after his knee surgery last year.

'If you keep believing, you can go far in your life,' he stressed.

The third-seeded Swiss superstar outclassed Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in his 11th final at the All England Club that lasted one hour and 37 minutes on the Centre Court on Sunday, July 16, to clinch his 19th Grand Slam title.

Federer was in tears as he waved at his wife Mirka and his four children before the trophy presentation.

'Holding the trophy now, after not dropping a set in the tournament, it's magical really. I can't believe it yet. It's too much,' Federer said.

It was the first time that Federer won the Wimbledon title without dropping a set.

The 35-year-old's previous Wimbledon win came five years ago, in 2012. He lost to Novak Djokovic in both the 2014 and 2015 finals.

'It's disbelief I can achieve such heights. I wasn't sure I would ever be here in another final after last year,' he said.

'I had some tough ones in the finals, losing two against Novak. But I always believed.'

'I kept on believing and dreaming I could get back,' Federer said.

'Here am I today with the eighth. It's fantastic, if you keep believing, you can go far in your life,' he added.

'I had an amazing journey here,' he said. 'I played the best tennis of my life..'

'I'm definitely hoping I will come back here one more time,' Federer, who will turn 36 on August 8, added.

His first Wimbledon title came in 2003, and he won the next four titles after that.

The victory makes Federer the oldest man to win at the All England Club in the Open era, which began in 1968.

He has now moved clear of seven-time Wimbledon champions William Renshaw and Pete Sampras.

With Federer's fifth crown of the year, he rises to No 3 -- his highest rankings position since August 2016.

His career title count now stands at 93, third on the all-time men's list, behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94) and ahead of John McEnroe (77) and Rafael Nadal (73).

Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

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Video: Kind courtesy Wimbledon.com/Facebook