July 5th, 2009 
admin Roger Federer became the greatest player in Grand Slam history as he beat Andy Roddick in five dramatic sets for a sixth Wimbledon title and 15th Grand Slam. The No2 in the world rankings became the No1 in the tennis books after breaking Roddick’s serve for the first time in the very last game to clinch an amazing fifth set 16-14. It was the third year in succession Federer had been taken to five sets in the final, having beaten Rafael Nadal in 2007 and losing to the same player in 2008.
The new world no 1 won, 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 to surpass Sampras’s 14 Grand Slam wins and regain the title he lost to Rafael Nadal last year. Sampras was back at Wimbledon for the first time since he quick 2002 to watch from the Royal Box as Federer made history and set a new world record in Tennis. Federer 27, is now return to the top of the world rankings ahead of Nadal, who can not make this year Wimbledon due to injury.
Afterwards he savoured his sixth Wimbledon crown, which he called “an unbelievable moment” in his career.
“It was a crazy match, an unbelievable end and my head is still spinning. This could have gone on for a few more hours I think,” said Federer. Pete Sampras, who had shared the record for most grand slam titles with Federer until today, flew in from the United States overnight to watch the match from the Royal Box and Federer said “Thanks very much for coming, I know it’s a long way but you’re a member, we like to see you here and it’s such a pleasure to play in front of such great legends. 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. It feels amazing but this is not why I’m playing tennis, to break all sorts of different records, but it’s definitely one of the greatest ones to have. But this doesn’t mean we stop playing tennis. I want to keep enjoying tennis for many more years so I hope to come back here and play some good tennis in the future.”
Federer’s win also sees him regain the world no 1 from the absent Rafael Nadal, who withdrew through injury, Federe said, “I guess it’s nice to have but of course I’m aware that Rafa didn’t play here. Injuries are part of the game but I’m happy I became number one in the world by winning this title because this is the biggest one there is and I love playing here. Things didn’t look so good when I lost in the finals of the Australian Open (earlier this year) but to come through and win Paris and now Wimbledon back to back it’s amazing.”
Roddick paid tribute to Federer after the match and said, “apologised to fellow American Sampras for being unable to prevent him losing his record. Roger is a true champion and he deserves everything he gets, I tried, sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off.” Roddick, who has now lost three Wimbledon finals to Federer. It was a pleasure playing here today in front of great champions like Pete, Rod (Laver) and Bjorn (Borg). I still hope one day that my name will be up there with theirs as a winner of this tournament.”
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