On Sunday afternoon in London, a thirty-five year old Roger Federer made history by winning his eighth Wimbledon title. Chinese Federer fans were quick to rejoice.

Source: weibo.com/wimbledonofficial

“He is a symbol of amazing achievement, staying calm under pressure, a tenacious competitor…he will never stop!” posted Federer fan Hong Xue on Chinese social media site Sina Weibo at around midnight Beijing time on Championship Day. Over one hundred other fans “liked” Hong’s post.

Across Roger Federer’s official Sina Weibo account and other tennis-related accounts, fan engagement increased by over 500% on the day of the match compared to the first week of the tournament. Not all of the dialogue was pure praise. To below picture posted on Wimbledon’s official Sina Weibo account, one fan joked, “Look at the old cow’s hair!” (Roger Federer not only holds the record for the most Wimbledon titles won by a male player, but he is also the oldest player in the Open Era to win a major).

Federer-Related Fan Engagement on Wimbledon’s Sina Weibo Account Within One Hour of Match’s End:

RE-POSTS                           COMMENTS                         LIKES

    20,000+                                   3,000+                             12,000+

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