06.07.2009

ATP - WIMBLEDON - WEBNEWS

Federer win breaks Sampras record (BBC Online)

Roger Federer became the greatest player in Grand Slam history as he beat Andy Roddick in five dramatic sets for a sixth Wimbledon and 15th major title.

The Swiss won 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 to surpass Pete Sampras's 14 Grand Slam wins and regain the title he lost to Rafael Nadal last year.

And Sampras was back at Wimbledon for the first time since 2002 to watch from the Royal Box as Federer made history.

But he had to dig deep against an in-form Roddick, who had four points for a two-set lead and then battled back to force an epic fifth set as the match became the longest men's singles final ever in terms of games played.


Federer - In a league of his own (watoday.com)

After Federer overcame Andy Roddick in a marathon, five-set serving duel Sunday for his sixth Wimbledon title and 15th Grand Slam championship, Sampras was left with no doubt about who is the greatest male player of all time.

There is no denying that Federer has firmly cemented himself as the finest player of the generation and, at age 27, the favorite for other major titles to come.


Roger Federer is a great - and humble- tennis icon (LA Times Online)

Like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, carved into the granite of a symbolic national structure, there were Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, the Mt. Rushmore of men's tennis.

And now Federer, that impeccably elegant, perfect Swiss timepiece, is the grandest champion of all, better than everybody else, the first face on the tennis mountain that all eyes will be drawn to.


Pete Sampras pays homage to great Roger Federer following Wimbledon triumph (sofiaecho.com)

Swiss ace and world number one Roger Federer has said of his epic Wimbledon final and his historic 15th Grand Slam that he has shocked even himself and still finds it rather hard to digest the reality, that he has surprised Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

Sampras paid homage to the great Swiss, insisting that should he maintain his top form, determination and hunger for the game, and more importantly, should he remain injury free, he could easily win 18 or 19 Grand Slams during his career. Beat that.


Check out ATP's tribute to Roger's 15th Grand Slam victory!

www.atpworldtour.com