Wimbledon Men's Final: Roger Federer Beats Andy Roddick in Epic Fifth Set

Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick Sunday in an epic five-set Wimbledon men's singles final, a 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 classic that gave Federer an unprecedented 15th Grand Slam singles title.

"I just want to say congratulations to Roger," Roddick said afterward. "He's a true champion and he deserves everything he gets. ... It was a pleasure playing him today."

Said Federer to Roddick, "Andy, you played unbelievably. Don't be too sad. ... You're going to come back and win it."

With the win, Federer broke his tie with Pete Sampras and became the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles, an achievement that makes Federer, in the eyes of many tennis observers, the greatest player in the history of the sport. It was Federer's sixth Wimbledon title, and it also puts him back atop the rankings, moving ahead of his chief rival, Rafael Nadal.

It was the second consecutive year in which Federer played a classic match in the Wimbledon final, following his loss to Nadal last year -- a match widely regarded as the greatest in history. It was also a match in which Federer had to dig down and beat an opponent who played one of the greatest matches of his career: Even in defeat, Roddick looked brilliant, winning the first set and appearing poised to put Federer away when he took a lead in the second-set tiebreaker.

But Roddick lost four set points in that tiebreaker and ultimately lost the second set to Federer, and when Federer won the third set as well, it appeared that Federer was ready to win without too much trouble.

Roddick, however, wasn't going down without a fight. He looked more fresh than Federer in the fourth set, breaking his serve in the fourth game and ultimately winning the set 6-3.

And that set up an epic fifth set that made the match the longest men's final in Wimbledon history. For 30 games Federer and Roddick went back and forth, always winning their own service games, until finally Federer broke Roddick to end the longest fifth set in men's finals history, and to make history as the greatest Grand Slam champion of them all.

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Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a ball to US Andy Roddick during their final match on Day 13 at the 2009 Wimbledon tennis championships at the All England Club on July 5, 2009. The event, the third Grand Slam tournament of 2009, runs from June 22 to July 5, 2009. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

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Switzerland's Roger Federer (R) walks past Andy Roddick of the US in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009. AFP PHOTO/JULIAN FINNEY/POOL (Photo credit should read JULIAN FINNEY/AFP/Getty Images)

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WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Andy Roddick of USA looks thoughtful as he walks past Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's singles final match on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andy Roddick;Roger Federer

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Switzerland's Roger Federer plays against Andy Roddick of the US in the Men's Singles Final of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on July 5, 2009. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Andy Roddick of the US returns to Roger Federer of Switzerland, during the men's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Sunday, July 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Andy Roddick of the U.S. returns the ball to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their Gentlemen's Singles finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN SPORT TENNIS)

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WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Andy Roddick of USA looks thoughtful during the men's singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andy Roddick

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WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Actor Russell Crowe, director Woody Allen and his wife Soon Yi watch the action during the men's singles final match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Roddick of USA on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Woody Allen;Russell Crowe;Soon Yi

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WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Director Woody Allen and actor Russell Crowe watch the action during the men's singles final match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Roddick of USA on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Woody Allen;Russell Crowe

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

7-05-2009 @ 1:46PM

sliwa60123 said...

Congrats to both!! Roddick you found the formula !! now go get the u.s. open. You did us Americans proud!!!!!!!!!

7-05-2009 @ 2:04PM

Yohncc said...

Congratulations to both of them. Not having seen the Final, it sounds as though Andy Roddick finally played Roger Federer the way that I have wanted to see him play him for all the time that he has. In my opinion, he has had the game but not enough desire. It looks like he brought that today. Unfortunately, he still came up short as Roger Federer tends to have not only his number but a lot of people say for ?Rafael Nadal.

If andy Roddick keeps playing like this he wil more. All in all, I believe this is the best he has ever played in a major. Great Job Andy. I agree with the other comment that you have done Americans proud!

7-05-2009 @ 2:10PM

ivor5 said...

The Best Wimbledon Final ever - I wanted the final set to be at least 12:12 after that I did not care who won, because they both were so good.

The sun in the last few games may also have took a part as one side of the court was in the sun and the other not. However, as I said, best ever final, only sorry a draw is not possible.

They were so good. I was pleased it finaly ended I was bursting to go to the Rest Room.

God Bless

7-05-2009 @ 8:17PM

Waddy said...

now thats tennis!!! unlike the boring williams sisters playing each other !!

7-05-2009 @ 2:17PM

karl said...

Well said!!!! Great match from Roddick; American tennis is back. Today, unfortunately he met the best, most fit, mentally tough tennis player that ever gripped a racket. Thanks Roger & Andy for entertaining us for 4+ hrs......

7-05-2009 @ 2:26PM

ashleigh said...

Andy did a fantastic job & he did the US proud --he clearly has his game back, but Roger was truly beyond phenomenal! Well over 100 winners, well over 50 aces, and I his stats are just amazing! He so deserved this win! Andy can be proud to have been part of such an historic championship!

Roger has been in 40 consecutive Grand Slams, 21 consecutive Grand Slam Semi-Finals, 20 Grand Slam Finals, 7 consecutive Wimbledon Finals with 5 consecutive Wimbledon wins, 16 out of the last 17 consecutive Grand Slam Finals, A Career Slam, and back-to-back championship wins of being a French Open Champion & Wimbledon Champion in the same year, not to mention being # 1 nearly 5 consecutive years, and 10 months after losing it, he regains his #1 ranking, too, and on top of all that, 15 Grand Slam Championship wins, more than any other... He is the greatest of his era, perhaps someday of all time... Go Roger!!

7-05-2009 @ 2:28PM

Ashley said...

Federer definately deserves to be number one in the world. I am so thankful that he won this match.

7-05-2009 @ 2:29PM

I forgot to add to my earlier post from a moment ago, Roger also has 5 consecutive US Open wins, too...

Go Roger!! But watch out for the new & vastly improved Andy Roddick... He's got game! But until he can match & surpass all the records listed in my earlier posting, Roger is simply the best!

7-05-2009 @ 2:47PM

ashleigh, you have a great handle on tennis and on Federer's game. I enjoy reading your knowledgeable posts. What separtats Federer from the other greats for me, is his desire to be the best of all time. He is very aware of tennis history and records and he puts so much pressure on his game, but overcomes time and time again.

7-05-2009 @ 2:49PM

Michael gifford said...

this was a stellar match for both players, one that you could wish neither would lose but as it happens Andy did. Andy played some of the best tennis he's ever played and has clearly reinvented himself into a force on the courts and Roger played very well. Great tennis...great players both...a pleasure to watch this match an Andy's matches with Hewitt and Murray...

7-05-2009 @ 2:54PM

illuse1 said...

That fifth set was one of the most amazing things in any sport I've ever seen...even with the few slips Andy took they stayed on top of each of their respective games...the amount of aces was totally staggering and with Andy still hitting 130mph+ serves into a four hour plus match...well...that's grit...the best tennis match I've ever witnessed...what a nailbiter!!

7-05-2009 @ 3:06PM

Steve said...

Andy, you're on your way,dude! You'll be the king of the world! Wait, Andy doesn't read this stuff...

7-05-2009 @ 3:12PM

goringm14 said...

Way to go Roger!! BAck on top again, and perhaps the best Wimbledon final ever.

7-05-2009 @ 3:34PM

Andy Roddick played the best match I have ever seen him play including his US 2003 Open Slam win and was even more classy in defeat! He won over many tennis fans today, even if you were cheering for Federer like I was.......great for the sport of tennis.

7-05-2009 @ 4:01PM

Seeing that match made me realize two things...American tennis is back and that #6 ranked Roddick will not be #6 for long...When Roger got to the break point I knew Federer would take the win. In what was an amazing show of skill, determination, willpower and physical strangth...I really think this goes down as the best matchup "pound for pound" in history...

7-05-2009 @ 4:14PM

tttac said...

Did anyone see the guy in the OU hat sitting behing Federer's wife and to the left pick his nose and eat the booger in the 25th game of the last set when the score was 0-15?

7-05-2009 @ 4:16PM

Zack Hunter said...

For so long in years past it's been so hard to pull for Andy Roddick. Just when he gained the limelight by advancing to a late round, he would disappoint with a key loss. But congratulations to him for finding new strokes, a leaner frame, and for keeping his competitive fire in the process. With Roddick's immovable object versus Federer's unstoppable force, this final today was the finest match I've ever seen. (2nd is Borg-McEnroe in '80, and 3rd is last year's Wimbeldon final). What a privelege to watch!

7-05-2009 @ 5:17PM

kilburn5 said...

Federer does not have to go through the likes of Agassi, Edberg, Courier, Becker, Lendl, Chang, Rafter, Ivanisevic, Krajicek, Martin, and a few others like Sampras did in just about every tournament throughout his career. Thus he cannot objectively measure up to a Pete Sampras or a Rod Laver (who played against an even better level of competition than Sampras). Federer is a great player who literally walks into the semis or finals in every tourney before he meets a player even remotely (and I mean REMOTELY) close talentwise to the names I mentioned above. It's not his fault...he's a great champion who hasn't beaten anybody of great substance (except Nadal) since his 2005 US Open win against 34 yr old Agassi. It's just the way tennis is today...a lot of mediocre mens players and only 2 standouts.

7-05-2009 @ 5:54PM

kilJOY5, what an idiodic and subjective post. Show me proof of your statement that guys like Murray, Roddick, Nalbanean, Djokovic, Safin, Ancic, Soderling, Haas, Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Gael Monfils, James Blake,Lleyton Hewitt, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco, Juan Martin Del Potro are not in the same class with the players you mentioned. Some of the aforementioned players are specific court specialists,(Monfils/Clay) which Sampras did not deal with as much during his reign. It will always hard to compare greats from different decades, centuries and eras but what makes me think and state that Roger is G.O.A.T. is the that very endorsement from players like Johnny Mac, Sampras, Lendl, Agassi, etc. Those players know tennis and guys like Agassi played Roger, Rafa, and Sampras and all of the guys you mentioned in your post and Agassi stated that Roger is the best of all time!! NO OTHER male tennis player has been as outstanding on 4 unique surfaces as Federer. Every opinion counts, but your statement lacks objective evidence and is contrary to the opinion of the greats themselves.

7-05-2009 @ 5:32PM

antimarxist2009 said...

Federer wins again...this is about as exciting as hearing about the Williams sisters or tiger woods winning. Who gives a rats A$$ really? When somebody new comes along and takes it from these monopoly figures...then let us know. Jeezzz!

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