Roger Federer finaly got over the hump to superior greatness. By defeating Andy Roddick in a classic Wimbledon Final last Sunday, Federer claimed his sixth Wimbledon title and more importantly, his 15th Grand Slam championship, eclipsing Pete Sampras‘s mark of 14.
“I have to give it to him,” said Sampras, who is also a seven-time Wimbledon champion. “He’s won all the majors. He’s won 15 now. He’s going to win a few more here. So in my book he is (the greatest ever).”
Federer also completed a career Grandslam last June when he won his first French Open. “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,” said Federer. “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.”
It took an aggravating 4 hours, 16 minutes, five sets and 77 games for Federer to secure the record Sunday in another epic Wimbledon final. Serving a career-high 50 aces, Federer overcame the unyielding and seemingly tireless Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 in easily the longest match and longest fifth set in Grand Slam final history.
Coincidentally, Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003. “I’m happy I broke the record here because this is always the tournament that meant the most to me. It definitely feels like coming full circle, starting it here and ending it here.”
Pete Sampras knew he had to see this match, especially since Federer was heavily favored to win it and beat his Grand Slam record. He flew in from California and was present at the All England Club for the first time since playing in the tournament for the last time in 2002. He arrived in the Royal Box after the third game. Apart from his wife, Sampras was also close to tennis legends Manolo Santana, Rod Laver, and Bjorn Borg.
Sampras acknowledges the greatness of Roger Federer. “The guy (Federer), he’s a legend. Now he’s an icon,” Sampras claimed.
With the historic win on Sunday, Federer also reclaimed the No. 1 ranking from Spanish rival Rafael Nadal, who backed out of this year’s tournament because of knee problems.
Federer though has beaten Roddick for the third time in the Wimbledon championship, with the first two coming in 2004 and 2005. He has dominated Roddick with a startling record of 19-2 against the American – with 8-0 coming from the Grand Slams.
The fifth and strenuous set was a classic. It went back-and-forth with the players throwing huge serves against each other that were difficult to break. Finally, serving in the 30th game with Federer ahead 15-14, Roddick blinked. He misplayed a forehand to set up match point. After a match that displayed a startling number of brilliant serves and returns, Roddick badly missed on a forehand that set up Federer’s induction as the greatest tennis player ever.
In the press conference, Roddick turned to Sampras and said, “Sorry, Pete. I tried to hold him off.”
But to no avail.
