Roger Federer and Andy Roddick treated tennis fans to a spectacular match on Sunday that couldn’t have been a more fitting cap to Federer’s run to a record-setting 15th Grand Slam title. Last year’s match between Federer and Rafael Nadal is regarded by some as the greatest Wimbledon match of all time: Yesterday’s match may have topped it (though some argue very well that, with the poor returns, it was a boring marathon of a final). If nothing else, the match featured more games than any other Wimbledon match in history and the longest fifth-set tiebreak ever. Ultimately, Federer unleashed some pressure in the waning games of the fifth set, Roddick didn’t respond, and Federer now stands atop the sport after an epic 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14 win.
One of the coolest aspects of the win was the Nike commercial that came on just minutes after the match featuring sports greats like Serena Williams and Michael Jordan congratulating Federer. But, most notably and most impressively, it was Pete Sampras congratulating Federer for breaking his record that stood out the most.
Video after the jump.
Despite having seen Federer pull out so many great wins, I never thought for a moment that he would do it. Serving to force a tiebreak in the first set, he was broken by Roddick. In the second-set tiebreak Roddick led 6-2 before Federer ignited a comeback and won the tiebreak. But as the games went on in the fifth set, Federer just didn’t look in control. I was wrong, and I’m thrilled that I was.
Some wonder what Federer will do now. Relax? Take it easy now that he has the record? No way. Sampras held the record for only seven years, and 23-year-old Nadal is just now coming into his peak and already has six titles. If Federer wants to hold the record for longer than seven years, he may have to win a couple more to put it out of Nadal’s reach.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
So nice of Roger to bust out that hideous, tacky ‘15′ white tracksuit just minutes after the most painful loss of Roddick’s life. What a presumptuous ass. Roger is a clown and self-promoter on the level of Don King.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Meh. It doesn’t bug me. Phil Jackson had a hat that just said “X” on it after he won his 10th NBA title. Great accomplishments in sports should be celebrated, IMHO.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Phenomenal fifth set. It was heartbreaking to see Roddick after the match.
I was surprised a bit by Federer’s post-match behavior. Usually he’s perfect in just about everything he says and does. The ‘15′ on the jacket hit a sour note with me. As did his comments to Roddick during the post-match on-court interview with BBC. It was clear Roddick was just crushed and absolutely sick about the result. You could see in his face how devasted he was by the loss.
During Federer’s interview he told Roddick he knew how Roddick felt because he had been in the same position the year before. Then you could hear Roddick in the background saying something along the lines that since Roger already had 5 Wimbledon titles when he lost to Nadal last year it wasn’t exactly the same thing. I believe Federer’s intention was probably genuine and innocent, but it came across wrong.
I agree that great accomplishments in sports should be celebrated. But the celebration is a lot more fun and enjoyable for everyone when others are saying the platitudes (e.g., Nike commercial, Sampras interview) and making the gestures instead of the winner doing it himself (e.g., ‘15′ on the jacket).
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Phil Jackson’s hat was designed by his young kids as a “neat gift for dad” and is now on sale with all proceeds going to charity:
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/buy-phil-jacksons-x-hat-support-charity/
It was not used to promote his own logo or nike clothing line and non-Federer fanboys are rightfully unamused by Roger’s shameless act: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/giles_smith/article6652499.ece
It’s a good thing Roger is making the best of Rafa’s time away, cuz the “GOAT” is gonna get his ass handed to him when he does! BTW, what other “GOAT” had his ass kicked so thoroughly by a rival? Jordan? Gretzky? Montana? Nope. No one dominated over them the way Rafa does Roger. That’s why they are worthy of the “GOAT” title, and Roger isn’t.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Yeah, how dare Federer celebrate his win. He should have just given the trophy to Roddick because Roddick played so well and came so close to winning. I’m sure that’s how Roddick would like to get his Wimbledon win.
on Jul 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am
ger, you obviously “don’t get it”. No one is saying he shouldn’t celebrate. Leaping in the air and fist pumping after the win is great. If he had gone over and hugged his wife, father, mother, etc that would’ve been terrific, too. Kissing the trophy and posing for pics all around the court - absolutely wonderful.
That’s all celebrating.
Having the ‘15′ sitting in your bag waiting for the post-match celebration? That’s just patting yourself on the back and a bit tacky. Not sure how to explain it any clearer than that.
on Jul 18th, 2009 at 2:11 am
The jacket was handed to him after the match. He didn’t have it in his bag. It was Sue Barker who commented on it and drew attention to it, not Federer.
And I still don’t get the big deal over this. What is so wrong with believing in yourself, preparing for success and taking pride in your accomplishments by wearing a commemorative jacket made just for him? The 15 was subtly hidden on the bottom right-hand corner of the back of his jacket, (not emblazoned in large typeface all over the back and front), and away from Roddick’s eyes and the camera’s view. If I had won this many titles, I would certainly want a memento of that moment and I would wear it proudly, and there’s no reason why Federer doesn’t deserve to celebrate this monumental achievement, one heretofore unequaled in the history of the sport. No one else has ever achieved all that he has. I also think it will be a wonderful treasure to hand down to his child someday, a talisman of one of the greatest days of his life.
I hope that people remember and realize that Federer is one of the few tennis players whose reputation and results warrant branding, and that he has put it to generous, philanthropic use throughout his years of success. It’s a shame people have to spin an innocent celebration into some hideous, tacky display of pomposity and arrogance. Frankly, i think the most painful thing Roddick saw Federer brandish after that match was the Champion’s trophy, not a jacket with a small 15 on it, which is why Roddick hasn’t said anything about this.
People, mostly rabid Rafa fans who refuse to accept that their hero’s style of play is conceptually limited and sure to burn out in the next few years, just need something to complain about, and here is their excuse to whine.