Sport | Tennis
Federer claims place in history
Roger Federer defeats Andy Roddick at Wimbledon to claim his 15th Grand Slam title.
- Agencies
- Published: 17:59 July 5, 2009
- Federer holds the trophy after defeating Andy Roddick in their men's final match on the Centre Court at Wimbledon.
- Image Credit: AP
Wimbledon, England: Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title Sunday, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a marathon match that went to 16-14 in the fifth set.
Federer served a career high 50 aces and overcame the resilient American 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 to break the record of major titles he shared with Pete Sampras and enhance his reputation as perhaps the greatest player in history.
The match finally ended after more than four hours of play when Federer broke for the first time all day, with Roddick hitting an errant forehand.
Federer jumped high in celebration, punched the air and whacked the net with his racket. Roddick tossed his racket to the side and the two men shared a hug at the net. Federer held up the trophy, kissed it and held it close to his chest.
Watching it all from the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California to see history made in his first appearance at the All England Club since playing here for the last time in 2002. Also on hand were Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
"It's not really one of those goals you set as a little boy, but man, it's been quite a career and quite a month," Federer said. "It feels amazing, but this is not why I'm playing tennis to break all sort of different records. But it's definitely one of the greatest ones to have."
Turning to Sampras, Federer said: "Thanks very much for coming. I know it's a long way, but you're a member, man, we like to see you here. It's such a pleasure to play in front of such greats legends."
Roddick said: "Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off."
Federer also reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Rafael Nadal, the man who beat him in the epic 2008 final but missed this year's tournament because of knee problems.
Federer is third player in history to win six Wimbledon championships - Sampras and William Renshaw each won seven.
"It course it was a crazy match with an unbelievable end and my head's still spinning," Federer said. "But it's an unbelievable moment in my career."
It was the longest men's Grand Slam final in history at 77 games - breaking the previous record of 71 from 1927 in Australia. It was also the longest fifth set in a men's Grand Slam final in history, surpassing the 20 games from 1927 in France.
Seventh straight final
A year ago, plenty of people were feeling sorry for Roger Federer.
The Swiss is playing in his seventh straight final at the All England Club. Last year, Rafael Nadal overcame him in the longest-ever men's final. the second-seed has beaten Roddick 18 of the 20 times they've played.
Federer will regain the top ranking in the ATP World Tour by winning the final, while Roddick, seeded sixth, will move into the top 5 for the first time since November 2007.
They were sending him letters with good wishes or - believe it or not - tennis tips. They were offering advice about how to deal with a perceived drop in performance and ideas for how to beat Rafael Nadal.
"If you achieved a lot, like I did, for so many years, and then you don't win some tournaments, people say, 'Oh, you're already on the decline,' very quickly," Federer said on Saturday.
Do you think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time? Does winning another Grand Slam make any difference?
Your comments
Yes, Roger Federer is by far, one of the greatest players ever, in the short 180 years plus history of tennis.
By winning his 15th grand slam title yesterday after a very hard fought and grueling battle with Andy Roddick at Wimbledon-England, he has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that his name will shine for a very long time, in the "Tennis Hall of Fame"
'Keep it up and hang on tough' is my message to Roger Federer at this crucial juncture of his career and history.
Dr. Aamir A. Salaria
St. Peters, Missouri - USA,USA
Posted: July 06, 2009, 18:22
It's more than tennis. It is that bond created between you and a humble sportsman. I pray that he will stay healthy and keep our heart beating with such marathonic matches. We love you, Roger.
Hagop Kassabian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 15:32
No doubt, we can say that he is the best player when Nadal is not there, we will see that he would loose his confidence once Nadal comes back.
Abdul
Okayama,Japan
Posted: July 06, 2009, 14:41
Federer s definitely the best sportsman in the history of sports. His spirit and the passion for the game is incomparable.
Yeasin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 13:06
congratulation to feder on gaining a world record,keep it up...... make more new records dont think this is enough ,records are always like to be broken.
Shahzad Shaikh
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 12:45
If M.J. is the king of pop, RF is the king of tennis.
Mamerto Cerdono
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 12:41
Roger's victory reminds me of Bjorn Borg as more or less both have the skill to play aces which were very difficult for any opponent to handle forget Andy Roddick or else but it was also a treat to watch on T.V. the finishing points. Andy Roddic's played so comfortably when he was at the net some of his shots are also to be cherish and full of entertainment, the rallies of 21 was like dream .congrats to both the players who gave their best to get the title.
Mrs Fauzia Raza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 12:32
One of the greatest moments in tennis , i have ever come across, a tremendous match and even hats off to Andy Roddick of US to give Federer such a tough competition.
The match would not have been so much fun without Andy's Contribution.
Dheeraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 11:54
You have done it for us. congrats. we adore you to the core. Wish u the best in future
Janeceline
Ajman,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 11:17
Undoubtedly, the world's best! Roger Federer has been the indomitable tennis champion for over a decade. He has been and still remains the worlds favourite. Despite his tough decline last year, we have seen him re-gain not just his unbeatable game skill but his title of world no 1 as well.
Last year's epic Wimbledon final had us crying our hearts out for Roger, while of course acknowledging that Nadal is here to stay. Unfortunately or fortunately Nadal wasnt in the competition this year and we dont know what would have happened even if he was.
But Andy Roddick played some amazing tennis yesterday and towards the end, despite being a die-hard Federer fan , I couldnt help but feel sad for Roddick. He was awesome, but Federers never say die attitude and his unconquerable spirit led him to win the Wimbledon finals, which had made him the greatest player in history with 15 grand slams. One things for sure, winner or not, Federers my number one! Go Roger!
Jisy Ranjan Mathew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 11:08
After Federer won an amazing second set tiebreaker I believed he will win. But it was an exciting match. One of the greatest epics. Well Roddick might not have won the trophy but he won't go home with the feeling that he didn't try hard enough. Well played both of you
Abdullah Chougle
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 10:24
Fantastic to the power of infinity! yes thats how I would like to describe ace tennis player Federer...he's a sporting ICON now and role model for all budding tennis champs the world over. Federer is undoubtedly one of the best tennis players the world has ever seen and rightfully has carved an exclusive niche for himself.
Federer the finest tennis player of our time - yes, Roger that!!!
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 09:44
Yes indeed. He is the best player of all times. Now all the best wishes for US Open and hope you win that too.
Kanwal Adnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 09:22
Well now that he has the record, his name has surely been written in the books as the greatest tennis player. In the last one year he had not won that many since Nadal was there. But with Nadal out of this tournament, he was the obvious winner. I think that Nadal is the only one who can give him a tough competition and win the games too. So Federer can enjoy this victory but be ready when Nadal comes back.
Abir Ahmad Ansari
Sharjah,U.A.E
Posted: July 06, 2009, 09:16
Yes of course, he is finest tennis player in the world. He is very tough player and he lost some few matches against refel but again he skilled and back creates this history. It's showing his confidence level I hope he will create some more records before ending his career in tennis.
Mohammad Yasin K.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 08:50
Yes he will win 18 Grand Slams
Haseeb Ansari
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: July 06, 2009, 08:39
Congratulations on winning the 15th Grand slam. By winning another Grand slam you could create a new record which will be in memory for many years.
C. P. Vaidyanathan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 08:27
The effortless ease with which Federer has gone about his business of winning, has taken away a lot of the credit that would otherwise have gone to him. Whether he is the greatest of all time, only numbers count, and i think he has the numbers to prove it.
Nik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 08:26
He deserved every single bit of it, he is the best, the smartest! He is on his own leaque, uncomparable. He don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore... he is the greastest of all time....
Amin Bin Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 08:23
He is a great player,I watch the
match,excellant match of Tennis for 4 hours/ 50Aces from Federer
it's marvellous.
Mutahhir Mohammad Habibi
Mangalore,India
Posted: July 06, 2009, 07:14
The final , plpayed between Andy roddick and roger federer was fabulous. Federer long awaited to regain his position, other than that Andy roddick was outstanding though but Federer made it till the end. I am extremely happy to see Federer back to the no. 1 spot.
Sakib Ahmad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 06, 2009, 06:59
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