Wimbledon - Federer's 'crazy' year continues

Eurosport - Sun, 05 Jul 21:12:00 2009

Roger Federer spoke of his crazy year after beating Andy Roddick in a stupendous Wimbledon men's singles final to become the most prolific winner of grand slam titles in men's tennis.

TENNIS 2009 Wimbledon Federer - 0

The Swiss, whose incredible 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 victory was his 15th career grand slam and sixth at Wimbledon, is now the holder of three of the sport's four big prizes after capturing the French Open title last month for the first time.

American great Pete Sampras, whose record of 14 grand slam titles Federer equalled in Paris, looked on from the Royal Box as the Swiss told the crowd what the moment meant.

"It has not really one of those goals you set as a little boy but, man, it has been quite a career," Federer, who pulled on a white tracksuit top with the number 15 emblazoned on the back, said.

"It feels amazing but this is not why I am playing tennis for, to break all these records but it is definitely one of the greatest ones to have.

"This year's crazy, I told you. Things didn't look so good when I lost in the final of the Australian Open, which was still an unbelievable result.

"To come through and battle back and win Paris and now Wimbledon back-to-back, something Bjorn (Borg) did a couple of times, it's amazing."

A year ago, Federer's five-year reign at Wimbledon was ended by Nadal, he then hit back to win a fifth consecutive US Open then in February he lost again to Nadal in the Australian Open when he broke down in tears.

After marrying long-time girlfriend Mirka in April he finally ended years of near misses at Roland Garros.

Borg, who managed five Wimbledon singles triumphs was sat alongside Sampras, who has seven, and four-times winner Rod Laver as Federer finally overcame the gallant Roddick.

"Thanks very much for coming," Federer said to California-based Sampras. "I know it's a long way but you know you are a member we like to see you here and it's such a pleasure to play in front of such great legends.

"I was here last year and I didn't have it (the trophy) but it feels great. It was a crazy match and it was an unbelievable end. My head's still spinning, it's an unbelievable moment."

Federer, who lost a similar epic against Spaniard Nadal last year, spared a though for Roddick, who only dropped serve once in the match, in the final game.

"Andy played an unbelievable tournament and don't be too sad, I went through some rough ones as well, one on this court last year, and I came back and won," Federer, who returns to the number one ranking, said.

Roddick quipped that Federer had already won five Wimbledon titles when he lost to Nadal but Federer added: "I won five but still it hurts, so you're going to come back and win it, I hope so.

"You're an unbelievable guy and you played unbelievable today. Unfortunately there has to be a winner and today I was on the lucky side."

Reuters

Comment 8 - 27 of 47

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  1. How can people say Federer is arrogant and then in the­ next breath shout, "Come on Murray"? Federer­ is the greatest player to ever walk the earth. He knows­ it. It's amazing that he isn't more arrogant­ imho. Fair play to Roddick too, for reminding us that­ he's still out there. A great match from BOTH­ players

    From R, on Mon 6 Jul 9:31AM

  2. In the present tennis game the only contender to Fed is­ Nadal either in grass or clay,bUt Nadal has many­ contender either in clay or grass (Nadal can be beaten­ by any tennis player).Let stop the mediocre comparison­ and shout out Roger as the true champion.

    GREAT­ FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD­ DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

    From ajibade86, on Mon 6 Jul 9:30AM

  3. "Fed" the true champion
    The best ever tennis­ player to grace the court.
    Epitome of elegance.
    luv­ uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.GUY

    From ajibade86, on Mon 6 Jul 9:20AM

  4. I dnt know what pple meant by Fed is arrogant, for­ heaven sake he has just break and set a new slam record­ so he deserve to talk like a champion

    From tope, on Mon 6 Jul 9:13AM

  5. Federer's GS records and all his achievements­ speak how great player he is.
    But, is he becoming a­ snob?!
    - warming up in his ridiculous outfit
    -number­ 15 emblazoned on gold on his sport wear
    What is­ next?
    CROWN instead of BANDANA?

    From siskra83, on Mon 6 Jul 8:58AM

  6. when the cat is gone....

    From Igor K, on Mon 6 Jul 8:55AM

  7. WELL LIKE IT OR NOT HE WAS USING GAMESMANSHIP ON­ RODDICKS SERVE IN THE LAST SET WITH STUPID CHALLENGES

    From Alex F, on Mon 6 Jul 8:47AM

  8. Well I don't know whether he is arrogant or humble­ because I do not know him personally. I never talk to­ him and I have never met him personally. What I just­ know the people that said about his humility is Pete­ Sampras, which is a friend of him and also Rafa Nadal­ which often have some chats with him. Rafa Nadal also­ spent some time in Roger's jet when he missed the­ plane to go to a tournament. I guess he spent some­ hours together in his jets and he has more time to­ assess his personality than me who only see his­ comments on media and also perhaps his diplomatic talks­ in ceremony. Also Rafa has many chats in the locker­ room with him. If I am not mistaken Roger is also­ chosen as the sportmanship by fellow tennis players (I­ do not know the detail about this as well)

    From Dony, on Mon 6 Jul 8:44AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Federer's arrogant comments are totally unnecessary­ and I think detracts from his achievements. I agree­ with no. 14's comments and think he should just let­ his racket do the talking and shut up.
    I've never­ known Federer to be humble so this always bemuses me­ somewhat when they talk about his humility. He's­ made some ridiculous comments about himself and slated­ other players along the way too. I think this attitude­ and those ridiculuous clothes he has donned all­ fortnight make him look a ****er, and is not necessary.­ Great tennis player - yes. Humble man - nope.

    From Claire, on Mon 6 Jul 8:27AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I met a man who are­ 40­ now on a dating service. he wants to see me and­ even­ have fun with me. but i am 18 now. I don't­ know­ whether i should go to see him. he ever said to­ me that­ all girls on that site ~~ sug ar match­ maker,com~~ are­ seeking fun.. why am not I?

    From sjifguerjg98djio, on Mon 6 Jul 8:15AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i expect a bit more from such a great champ and i­ compare him to the coolness of borg sampras and laver­ and he comes up short in my mind, sorry if u dont like­ that but thats the way it is for me and i am not fooled­ by his very smart diplomatic art. lets just agree to­ disagree on this one.

    From ralph, on Mon 6 Jul 7:58AM

  12. the guy is amazing, 15 slams in 6 years, so what if he­ is a little arrogant he worked damm hard for the right­ to be so. he is a great role model for sport not just­ tennis and the sporting world should think themselves­ lucky for whitnessing such an achievement yesterday.­ roddick was a warrior yesterday too, it takes 2 players­ to make a great match and he really made it what it­ was, proves how hard he has worked with his new trainer­ hope to see him winning slams again soon.

    From ajpbolton, on Mon 6 Jul 7:53AM

  13. Some people here and there still act as if Roger­ Federer had stolen some of his Grand slams. Think­ again!

    From Casalpusterlengho, on Mon 6 Jul 7:33AM

  14. Well done Roger. Yo are truly great. All those scums­ who think otherwise eat a piece if s**t. you guys only­ talk about Nadal and others. Roger is the king today.­ try and see if all you scums get a job to clean his­ shoes. ar**h***s.

    From francisfurtado23, on Mon 6 Jul 7:29AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    And what about this one: "I never thought I could­ be this consistent, that great a player with so many­ qualities". Maybe he should shut up for a while­ and let US decide how great he is. I don't think­ arrogance, even if he is entitled to it, will win him­ many points, but then again I expect he doesn't­ really care what we think as long as he thinks he is­ the greatest tennis player that ever walked this earth­ and pockets the millions, too.

    From Jimmy, on Mon 6 Jul 7:16AM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Humble Roger: "It's been quite a­ career". "I lost at the Aussie, that was an­ unbelievable result". Right, wait till Nadal comes­ back and you'll have some more unbelievable­ results, you overbloated ego.

    From Jimmy, on Mon 6 Jul 6:45AM

  17. It's a historical moment. Nobody won 15 ever so­ the number has a meaning. 15 is very hard to get­ to.
    If you don't like it, turn off the TV. Or root­ for whoever is playing against him. But the TV rating­ will keep going up. He will make more money.

    From Silver N, on Mon 6 Jul 6:08AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    WANNA meet your clas sy h alf?
    you can log on __C­ lassyMingle C om___. many nice and sin gle people you­ will meet. Do not miss the love in your lifetime

    From Luna K, on Mon 6 Jul 3:25AM

  19. il l
    well responce there is alot of guys come around­ and pretending we was loving him but after this speech­ we won't. guys please all what he said is the best­ what can said so get away from him

    From ola azmy, on Mon 6 Jul 2:51AM

  20. actually the 15 on his back might be a sign of­ arrogance to some, but it was probably a publicity­ stunt from his sponsors. No one really takes note of­ what's written on players clothes and this was just­ advertising. You can say that football teams do the­ same. They have FA cup winners or Champions League­ winners emblazened and ready on their shirts, scarves­ and flags which they wrap around themselves if they­ win, so dont come with arrogance on fed ex's part.­ If he didnt win, he would not have worn that, and since­ he did win, he decided to put it on, not for sake of­ arrogance, but because of the situation and the record­ being broken at that time. I am a Federer fan, but I­ didnt mind who won today because I think Roddick is the­ perfect sportsman, gracious in defeat and a true­ professional. I wanted him to win because of the­ heartaches he has suffered at being losing finalist,­ and for federer to win just to break the slam record.

    From Owais, on Mon 6 Jul 2:22AM
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