In A League Of His Own - Federer Reigns Supreme

You have to hand it to Federer. Not only did he cement his place as the greatest tennis player to ever play the game, he did it in style. Donning a gold-trimmed Nike outfit, Federer put Roddick away in a thrilling Wimbledon final by winning in a dramatic fifth set. Not only did Federer have his outfit prepared for the win, NBC immediately aired three commercials celebrating Federer’s 15th Grand Slam title. Apparently, Federer isn’t scared of jinxing himself, like NHL players who fear touching Conference Cups before hoisting Stanley Cups. He’s that damn good. And on Sunday afternoon in England, he proved it yet again.

When Andy Roddick won the first set at Wimbledon’s Centre Court, the stage was set for an epic Grand Slam final. Federer was able to bounce back and push the series to a fifth set, but Roddick’s dominant performance throughout the fourth had everyone on the edge of their seats (including the classy broad behind Pete Sampras who was showing off her bra through her fashionable blouse). The audience waited with baited breath to see if Roddick, who had lost two Wimbledon finals to Federer in 2002 and 2003, could finally outlast the best tennis player of all time.

The final set spiraled in to double digits, with the American and Swiss born players hammering massive serves and extending exciting rallies. Whomever had the serve, owned that game, and the final extended further and further. Then in the 436th point of the match, Federer broke Roddick’s serve and watched as an exhausted Roddick crumbled. On match point of the 29th game in the final set, Roddick returned a shot by Federer high and long, and as the ball raised in to the sky, Federer knew he had done it.

The crowd rose to its feet, adorned with Federer with the love and applause he rightfully deserved as Pete Sampras passed Roger the mantle. Federer showed off the stylish “15” etched in to the back of his sweater, as if he knew all along that he would win. As a heavy favorite to win, the tennis betting community had little doubt that Federer would win. It’s just that nobody (including yours truly) thought it would be that close.

In defeat, Roddick was a gentleman. He held back obvious tears as he recognized Federer’s accomplishments and humorously apologized to Pete Sampras since he, “held him off as long as he could”. But it’s this loss that will be a defining moment in Roddick’s career. How he responds to this loss may will define who he is. Federer may have finally reached the top of the tennis mountain, but it’s Roddick who has arrived as a legitimate threat. Anyone who takes Federer to that distance deserves the roar of approval that he received from the Wimbledon crowd.

But Sunday was about Federer, who won his 15th Grand Slam in only 41 attempts, to become the all-time greatest tennis champion of all time. While it will be argued that Tiger Woods, who claimed a victory at the AT&T Championship, is perhaps the only athlete who can hold a candle to Federer, Roger’s feats are not to be belittled. It took Pete Sampras 52 attempts to get to 14 Grand Slam wins.