Posted on 07/05/2009 3:27:59 PM PDT by EdnaMode
Federer Stands Alone
By Liz Clarke Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, July 5, 2009; 5:08 PM WIMBLEDON, England, July 5 -- It was a day for making history.
Roger Federer, who was reduced to tears after losing last year's Wimbledon final, exulted on the same patch of Centre Court Sunday after winning his 15th Grand Slam title -- one that breaks his tie with Pete Sampras for the most career majors.
Federer prevailed in the longest Grand Slam final in men's history, turning back a determined challenge by American Andy Roddick, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
With the victory, which took 4 hours 18 minutes, Federer claimed his sixth Wimbledon title and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal last August.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Two great finals in a row.
Andy is playing the best tennis of his career. I think he wins another US Open. Roger is just the best ever.
Great match.
Incredibly arrogant questions by reporters after the match.
“How does it feel to lose to the best tennis player in the world?”
“Do you feel like a winner or a loser?”
“Why didn’t you win?”
How about simple good sportsmanship,
Good job to the both of them.
Yeah those were LAME questions!
Agreed. I think Roddick will either win at the US Open or in Australia in January.
Can’t believe they managed to come up with a final this good after the one last year.
Absolutely epic match. Roddick left everything on the court and lost in an unbelievable match to the greatest player ever. He looked like he was trying so hard to keep it together after the match was over. He earned a tremendous amount of respect for the way he played today.
I did not watch the Ladies Final because I did not want to hear the screeching.
Indeed he did. I will be rooting for him in the upcoming US Open.
I don't know. I'm not a big tennis fan. But I caught all the extra games of the last set, and found it quite predictable, almost dull if not for the historic nature of Federer's achievement. There wasn't the slightest doubt in my mind that Roddick would never break and eventually Federer would, whether it took 20 games or 60. Maybe they need to put tighter limits on the equipment. Am I wrong in observing that the combination of equipment and player improvements has lead to a men's game where service breaks are quite rare with closely matched competitors? And a game where serve is almost always held is a game with few long points and a boring game to watch, especially for the casual fan. I'm sure there was something in this match for the tennis enthusiasts who marvel at ace after ace, but there was no Conners/Lendl diarrhea match type drama.
“Amazing win over Andy Roddick who played the best match of his career
I think Roddick was a bit better against Murray.
Federer is a great tennis player, but until he wins a calendar-year grand slam I wouldn’t rate him higher than Rod Laver, who did it twice (1962 and 1969).
Then again, when Laver won those Slams, 3 of the 4 were on grass. So I think it’s really hard to compare those two eras.
That said, Federer seems to me to be the greatest of all-time and he's got some more wins coming.
“So I think it’s really hard to compare those two eras.”
They also played with wooden rackets, although I think Federer would be even better with wood. He’s an artist with a racket, just like Laver was.
It’s really a shame they can’t just go back to wooden rackets. Imagine Major League baseball played with metal bats, and that’s about what tennis is like now.
Yeah Federer would be successful with wood and his racquet is much smaller and heavier than most of his contemporaries.
Great point you bring up. I can’t stand the screaming either. The loud stuff should be banned.
Roddick broke Federer’s serve twice before the fifth set.
Federer only broke Roddick’s serve once - in the fifth set which won it for him because he was serving first that set. In addition Roddick had two break points on Federer’s serve in the fifth set but failed to convert.
Only a fool would say there “was no doubt in my mind that Roddick would never break” Federer’s serve in the fifth set.
The WTA is out to lunch on this issue.
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