Federer admits he needs time off after Wimbledon loss

The 37-year-old was defeated in an epic Wimbledon final on Centre Court, finally falling in a fifth-set tiebreak after five hours with the scores locked at 2-2 and 12-12.

Federer had two championship points in the fifth set to clinch his ninth Wimledon title, but squandered them both.

"I don't know what I feel right now... I can't believe it," said Federer.

"You just always try to push yourself to see things on the better side. But it was definitely tough to have those chances."

While it will take some time to recover from such an anguished defeat, Federer is confident he'll be adequately prepared for the US Open, having played the clay court season for the first time in three years.

He plans to skip the Rodgers Cup which starts August 3, before returning to the tour a week later for the Cincinnati Open.

"There's a lot of positives to take away from the journey I've been on for the past few months," Federer said following the loss to Djokovic.

"I mean, looking ahead, we had decided in the team that I was going to skip Montreal anyway already a week ago, and just give myself enough time - I wish I had more, but I don't.

"So I'm just going to take enough time off, what I can, and then prepare for Cincinnati and get going from then on again."

Djokovic's victory saw him close to within four Slams of Federer's all-time record, and while the Swiss ace knows his record is now in jeopardy, he insists he's not concerned about it.

"It used to be a really, really big deal, I guess when you were close," Federer said.

"I guess two behind, then eventually you tie, then eventually you break. That was big.

"It's been different since, naturally because the chase is in a different place.

"I take motivation from different places. Not so much from trying to stay ahead because I broke the record, and if somebody else does, well, that's great for them. You can't protect everything anyway."