Roger Federer Wins Wimbledon

Breaks Sampras' Grand Slam Record

Tennis star Roger Federer has become the greatest champion in men's grand slam history. Federer posted a 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14 marathon victory over Andy Roddick at the All England Club. The win is Federer's 6th Wimbledon crown an 15th grand slam victory overall.

All-time Classic

For the second consecutive year, fans were treated to a classic men's final at Wimbledon. Federer, the world's no. 2 player, dispatched the no. 6 ranked Roddick mainly with resilience and determination. The stoic Federer was not able to break Roddick's serve until the last game of the fifth set, and relied on tie-breaker victories in the second and third sets to help pull out the victory. Federer also belted a career-high 50 aces to help him to his victory.

This match was the fourth time Federer had beaten Rodick in a major championship. At last year's Wimbledon final, World no. 1 Rafael Nadal bested Federer in what tennis legend John McEnroe dubbed "The greatest match I've ever seen."

15th Grand Slam

The victory gives Federer a record 15 career men's grand slam titles. He was previously tied with American Pete Sampras for the all-time lead. The Swiss-born Federer now has 6 Wimbledon titles, 5 U.S. Open's, 3 Australian Open's, and 1 French Open Championship. This year's Wimbledon victory, coupled with his French Open victory earlier this summer, also gives Federer another rare feat. As accomplished by Nadal last summer, the two great champions are the only men to complete the French Open/Wimbledon double victory since 1980, when Bjorn Borg had finished the feat for the third consecutive year.

Excellent Career

With 15 grand slam titles, Roger Federer has strengthened his claim as the best male tennis player ever. Federer has won 60 overall titles, has made over $49 million in career earnings, owns 7 doubles grand slam titles and also an Olympic gold medal (for doubles, Beijing 2008). He has made a record 20 grand slam finals and a record 21 consecutive grand slam semi-finals.

Challenges to the Throne

While Federer's credentials are superb, detractors may cite numerous factors to dispute Federer's claim as the greatest men's player in tennis history. These factors include: chief rival Rafael Nadal did not compete in this year's Wimbledon due to injury; Federer does not have a single's Olympic gold medal; Federer's 60 career victories pale in comparison to Jimmy Conner's record of 109 career victories.

Federer the Greatest

While these criticisms may hold some validity, we cannot forget that Federer is only 27 years old, will play in many more tournaments and will certainly compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. Additionally, Federer can look to his close friend and fellow champion of a different sport, Tiger Woods. The world's no. 1 golfer, Woods is famous for believing that no victory matters as much as a Major victory. With this year's success at Wimbledon, and several more good years ahead of him, Roger Federer can prove the tennis equivalent. He already has the numbers to back him up.