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Now he’s an icon, says Sampras
LONDON: Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title Sunday, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a marathon match that went to 16-14 in the fifth set.
Watching from the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California to see history made in his first appearance at the All England Club since playing here for the last time in 2002. Also watching were Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
“It’s not really one of those goals you set as a little boy, but man, it’s been quite a career and quite a month,” Federer said. “It feels amazing, but this is not why I’m playing tennis to break all sort of different records. But it’s definitely one of the greatest ones to have.”
Sampras predicted Federer will win many more Grand Slam titles.
“He’s a stud,” Sampras said. “He’s only 27. He’ll contend here for many years, and the U.S. Open, and all the majors. If he just keeps it going and stays healthy, he could go to 18, 19, potentially.
“The guy, he’s a legend,” Sampras added. “Now he’s an icon.”
Sampras said he considers Federer the greatest ever.
“I have to give it to him,” he said. “The critics say Laver, and (Rafael) Nadal has beaten him a few times at majors. He’s won all the majors, he’s won 15 now, he’s going to win a few more here. So in my book he is.”
Federer reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Nadal, the man who beat him in the epic 2008 final but missed this year’s tournament because of knee problems. Federer is third player in history to win six Wimbledon championships — Sampras and William Renshaw each won seven.
It was the longest men’s Grand Slam final in history at 77 games — breaking the previous record of 71 from 1927 in Australia. It was also the longest fifth set in a men’s Grand Slam final in history, surpassing the 20 games from 1927 in France.
Crazy match“Of course it was a crazy match with an unbelievable end and my head’s still spinning,” Federer said. “But it’s an unbelievable moment in my career.”
Federer’s 50 aces were one short of the Wimbledon record held by Ivo Karlovic. — AP
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