Federer (left) now has six Wimbledon titles, five US Opens, three Australian Opens and a French Open trophy, and has surpassed Pete Sampras's mark of 14 majors. -- PHOTO: AFP
LONDON - ROGER Federer made history on Sunday when he defeated brave Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14 to win a sixth Wimbledon title and claim a record 15th Grand Slam crown in a classic final.
'Roger is a true champion and he deserves all he gets,' said Roddick.
'I hope to come back one day and get my name up on that winners' board.' When asked later if he had just lost to the greatest player of all time, Roddick replied: 'Yes.' Sampras, and fellow greats Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg were on hand to watch Federer's bid for history, as were Hollywood giants Woody Allen and Russell Crowe, such was the attraction of the Centre Court blockbuster.
LONDON - THE disappointment of not seeing a British player in the men's final at Wimbledon was forgotten on Monday as newspapers here hailed Roger Federer as the greatest player of all time.
The Swiss won his sixth trophy at the All England Club with an epic 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14 win over Andy Roddick on Sunday, beating Pete Sampras' record to take an historic 15th Grand Slam title.
But the 27-year-old Swiss second seed was given a huge fright by the American sixth seed who led by a set, had four set points in the second and didn't drop serve until the final, heartbreaking game of the match.
In an extraordinary conclusion, the deciding set was, at 95 minutes, the longest ever played in a men's Wimbledon final and was longer than it took the Williams sisters to contest the women's final on Saturday.
Federer now has six Wimbledon titles, five US Opens, three Australian Opens and a French Open trophy, and has surpassed Pete Sampras's mark of 14 majors.
He will also reclaim his world number one spot from Rafael Nadal, who beat him in a five-set final here last year.
'Andy (Roddick) played an unbelievable tournament. He's a great guy but there has to be a winner sometimes,' said Federer after the 4hr 16min final.
'I didn't hold the trophy last year. But it feels great after such a crazy match which could have gone on for a few more hours. My head is still spinning.
'Getting 15 Grand Slam titles is not something you dream about when you are a little boy, but I've had a great career.
'It's been quite a month winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back just like Bjorn Borg did.
'I don't play to break records but it's great to have them.' Roddick, who has now lost three Wimbledon finals to Federer, was in tears at the end of the match. -- AFP
