Roger Federer outlasted Andy Roddick in an epic five-set Wimbledon men’s final to break Pete Sampras’s record of 14 career grand slam titles on Sunday in London, England. The match lasted four hours and 16 minutes with Federer winning 5–7, 7–6 (6), 7–6 (5), 3–6 16–14.
Now Federer stands out in history as having won more grand slam titles then any other player at 15. He added his sixth Wimbledon title, to accompany his five U.S. Open titles, three Australian Open titles, and last month’s French Open title.
To underscore the significance of this final, in attendance were Rod Laver, who twice won all four grand slam titles in the same year, Bjorn Borg, who won five straight Wimbledon crowns from 1976–1980, and Pete Sampras, who owns seven Wimbledon crowns.
But the Queen was not in attendance, as Britain’s Andy Murray did not reach the final after being knocked out in the semis by Roddick.
Coming into the match Federer owned an 18–2 record against Roddick, however the big serving American’s revitalized game and improved fitness meant that the past history between the two was rendered irrelevant.
In an unusually dry tournament, marked by only one rain delay, the final was also played on a very sunny day. It was clear Wimbledon Centre Court’s $130 million roof was not going to be needed.
Roddick was aiming for his second major title after winning U.S. Open in 2003 and losing in three other grand slam finals (all to Federer).
The Match
Roddick started the match in much the same way that he defeated Andy Murray, with big booming serves up to 143 mph. Aces were hit in abundance with Roddick wracking up 27 and Federer, a career-best 50.
As expected, between Roddick and Federer, break points would be few and far between. The first break points came in the 11th game on Roddick’s serve.
On the third break point of the 11th game, Federer hit a forehand winner down the line and Roddick challenged the in-call. The re-play showed the ball was in fact long. Roddick managed to hold his serve.
He then broke Federer in the next game to take a surprising one-set lead.
Roddick seemed quite comfortable to slug it out from the baseline although he mixed up his play effectively to keep Federer off-balance. Under the guidance of new coach Larry Stefanki, Roddick improved his court movement and his backhand, which delivered numerous key winners.
The second set went to a tiebreak and Roddick took a 6–2 lead. Both men have excellent 2009 tiebreak records, especially Roddick, but at 6–2 with four set points, Roddick failed to put away Federer. Federer played a couple of good points but Roddick helped him out with a couple of bad errors, most notably missing a high backhand volley.
With the match square at one set apiece, one could think Roddick would crumble but to his credit he continued to fight hard and hold serve.
The third set also went to a tiebreak and this time Federer forged ahead to a 5–1 lead. Roddick pulled it back to 5–6 but Federer took the next point and a two sets to one lead.
In the fourth set, Roddick broke Federer’s serve in the fourth game for a 3–1 lead. The one break was all he would need as he took the match to a fifth set.
Fifth Set
With such a dominant serving display from both players—Roddick had not been broken and Federer broken only twice—it was not clear where or how the break through was going to come. No tiebreak is played in the fifth set at Wimbledon.
Both players did not let their levels of play drop. Serves were held fairly routinely as the set wore on. Roddick had the added pressure of serving second, knowing that if he dropped serve, it’s game over immediately.
Finally in the 30th game, Federer got the break and the win as Roddick framed a forehand high into the air on break point. Roddick had held serve for 37 straight games prior to the break.
“I couldn’t get a read for basically four hours on Andy’s serve,” said Federer in an interview with John McEnroe on NBC.
“Winning the French and Wimbledon back-to-back, it’s just crazy. Wimbledon—it’s the trophy that means the most to me.
“I’m particularly happy Pete [Sampras] came, we’re good buddies.”
A dejected Andy Roddick told the BBC, “He [Federer] is a true champion. He deserves everything he gets.”
Referring to the record of grand slam titles, Roddick said, “Sorry Pete, I tried holding him off!”
While Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time—he certainly now has the one final number to back it up, the 15th major—the final will be just as memorable for Roddick’s courage and class.
Federer shared his thoughts about what Roddick must have been feeling after losing an epic final.
“It’s hard. Sports or tennis is cruel sometimes. We know it. I went through some five‑setters in grand slam finals, too and ended up losing. It’s hard, you know,” said Federer in his post-game press conference.
“You know, I really thought I had to play my very, very best to come through.”
The great Pete Sampras summed up to John McEnroe Federer’s accomplishment.
“Roger’s a stud, an incredible athlete.”
