Name: Andrew Stephen Roddick| Federer beats Roddick in close showdown for Wimbledon title |
 View over 100+ photos from the match here! Roger Federer became tennis’s greatest champion, watched by a legion of champions, as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes to claim his sixth Wimbledon crown. It was also a record 15th Grand Slam title for the Swiss master, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver. It was a truly momentous climax to the 2009 Championships as the 27-year-old Swiss became the most successful man in the sport. Sampras, previous holder of that title, had been an unannounced surprise visitor to Wimbledon – where he has not been seen since 2002. The American arrived three games into the contest, but then sat as enraptured as the rest of the crowd as the two gladiators battled through 77 games, the most seen at any Wimbledon final. In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal’s feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus. That this was going to be a contest between two big blasters was evident from the opening game, when Roddick slammed down two aces and in the next Federer replied with a couple of his own. That Federer had won 18 of their previous 20 matches was not a consideration on this day. For a start, Roddick, white cap pulled low over his eyes, was clearly a fitter and slimmer version of the man who had already lost to Federer in two Wimbledon finals, and he matched Federer stride for stride, shot for shot, ace for ace as they hurtled through the opening set, completing 10 games in just 25 minutes. Then came the first sign of a falter. It was from Roddick, who fell 0-30 behind on serve, and Federer upped his level in pursuit of a break of serve which would have left him to serve for the set. He could not have tried harder, or played better. Four times he stood at break point, and on each occasion Roddick battled back to fend off the threat and was finally off the hook, courtesy of a pair of Federer forehand errors. Perhaps it was the inspiration of surviving such a crisis, but Roddick bounced back brilliantly and when Federer offered him a glimpse of success with a faulty cross-court backhand to go break point down, the American struck. A brilliant forehand down the line forced Federer to project a forehand wide and it was Roddick who went a set in front after 39 minutes. This was precisely the start Roddick needed to prove that he was a changed man from the opponent so frequently dominated by Federer in the past. Impressively aggressive and quick to close in on the net whenever the chance arose, he continued to stretch Federer in the second set with scorching serves of speeds beyond 135mph and a steadiness which was producing 80% of first serves on target. Federer’s discomfort at being so brashly challenged on a court he has come to regard as his own was beginning to show as the second set moved into a tiebreak. As the Centre Court audience roared in disbelief, two errors by the Swiss left Roddick with four points for a two-set lead. Now was the time for Federer to unveil the genius that had stood him such good stead in previous Wimbledon finals – and he responded in brilliant fashion, winning the next six points in a row as, for the first time, Roddick’s nerves betrayed him. Two volleying errors on his own serve let Roddick down before, on Federer’s first set point, the American drove a forehand over the baseline and it was level pegging again after one hour 23 minutes. In that second set Federer had conceded only five points on serve, with Roddick not far behind with seven. The third set followed the course of the second, with both men holding serve comfortably, except when Roddick escaped from break point down in the sixth game. Though the American’s first serve began to shed some of its potency, the two men moved into another tiebreak. And this time it was Federer who not only moved into the driver’s seat with a mini-break on the third point but cemented that advantage, growling “C’mon” as he went ahead by six points to three, holding three set points. Would Roddick stage a similar fightback to Federer’s in the previous set? He certainly gave it a go, rescuing two set points on his own serve before Federer struck, following a potent serve with a forehand put-away to move in front by two sets to one with the match two hours 11 minutes old. Roddick’s indomitable attitude had its reward in the fourth set. He conjured two break points in the fourth game and though Federer saved one with his 24th ace, the American trapped the Swiss as he closed in on the net on the next point. Steadily and impressively, Roddick built on the break, with the only scare coming when, at 5-2., he fell heavily. There were fears of a similar ankle injury to the one which had caused his withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen’s Club, but this was not the occasion for something like that. He shook himself down, carried on, and held serve in the next game with that trusty weapon, a service winner. All square again after two hours 43 minutes. So to the deciding set, with Federer threatening to strike early as he reached break point for the sixth time in the match, only to be frustrated again as the American pumped down his 20th ace at 138mph. With no tiebreak in the fifth set, this one had to be played out. And so it was, amid mounting excitement and with Federer beginning to show the first signs of uncertainty. This reached a climax as Federer faced two break points at 8-8, only to serve his way out of trouble and as the games ascended into double figures for each man the set became the longest fifth set in Wimbledon’s history. Federer’s ace count passed the 50 mark and then, finally, it was Roddick who cracked in the 30th game of the set. Three mishits off the frame indicated he was fatigued and when Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly, leaping into the air with joy as another Roddick mishit sailed long. |
• Posted: 2009-07-05 • Categories: Wimbledon News & Results • 10 Comments » |
July 5th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Andy, I’m primarily a Federer fan, but I had to comment on your game today, the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final. Your consistently great game made me your fan, as well! You did a fantastic job, and I’m sure you will take this Grand Slam title someday. You played your heart out and I felt so sorry that there could be only one winner, because you came so close. Keep up the great playing and best of luck in the future!
July 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Don-t be sad you’ll be remenbered a long time for this match, thank you. US open is coming obviously you could do great things there.
I’m sure you’ll feel it like a good day ten years from now, you’ve done every thing that was possible.
A french fan
July 5th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Brilliant match. Had me on the edge of my seat. Impressed with how Andy has ‘upped’ his game this year. He deserved to win with all his efforts.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Andy,
you were the better player in the final. That must means it hurts so much because you deserved to win – I know man. Other times you have played Roger and he has been the better player but this time that wasn’t true. Your game has improved so much with your backhand and volleying added to the rest of your game that was already so strong. People are hailing Roger as the best ever – well in that match you were better than him and could have beaten any player out there. Those one or two moments that cost shouldn’t detract from that and you should stay strong, train as hard as you did for this one and know you are now one of the best – on your day you can be better than anyone. You can win Grandslams playing like you did today, I know today feels like an opportunit y gone but you got to the final and played better than the man christened ‘the greatest of all time’. He could not break your serve in normal match conditions and you mentally had the edge too coming back to take that fourth set when he thought you would fade. You proved him wrong and everyone who doubted you wrong. You ARE one of the best, you showed it in this tournament now show it in the next one, and the one after that – you might suffer a day like this again – but you come back from it AGAIN! Do not let your belief be shaken, you showed you are the best, keep working as hard and as effectivel y as you have been – keep focused and play better than your next guy. You can do it, you did it today but things didn’t go your way – have no doubt if you keep doing it the results you deserve will come. The final was like a bad beat in poker, you went all in with Pocket Aces, he went all in with Pocket Kings. You did everything right and most times you would have won the pot but he spiked a King on the river. You made the right play – and next time you will make it again. You made me proud today as a supporter of you. It hurts so bad I can’t imagine – feel that – know it could happen again – but you can handle it because you have the capacity to play like that when no one can handle you. No one can take away how great you played today and you can play like that in the future and you can beat any player out there. You were the best today, you will be the best tomorrow – believe it.
Take care of yourself and enjoy the good things in your life Andy and then get ready to be the best and get what you deserve.
Much love and support
Matt from UK
July 6th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Andy have been in awe of you the entire competition… There is not a doubt in my mind you were the worthy winner yesterday. My heart broke for you but i’ve no doubt you’ll hold that cup yet! Dont be too hard on yourself. Fiona from Ireland
July 7th, 2009 at 10:36 am
The entire competition has left us in awe of your superb tennis and presence. You have won the hearts and admiration of all us Britts…didn`t you hear them all calling your name? A true star and fantastic sportsman, to us you were the best at Wimbledon and destined for greater things….it will happen and you will get your name on that trophy. Don`t be too down this was just the start of the hard work and training you have put into your game. Brilliant !!
Thank you and bless you
July 8th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I have been a fan of yours forever. Imagine my excitement when I heard you were going to be in the final against Roger. After watching you play Andy Murray in the semis, I was blown away by your brilliance on the court. I was glued to my tv set for over 4 hours and felt your despair at the end. I truly felt you outplayed Roger and he was only able to take one game from you. You played an incredible match and I am sure you will come back strong and you will be holding the winner’s cup next time. Thanks so much for giving us such a great match – you truly are an amazing tennis player with so much talent and so much ahead of you. Elle from Toronto
July 8th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
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Vaclav
July 9th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Andy, Just a note to thank you for the incredible thrills you gave us at Wimbledon–and for all the hard work that goes into getting to that level of tennis. Watching you play was like seeing a great work of art: made me proud to belong to the human race even if I can’t hit a tennis ball to save my life. The way you have raised the level of your game over the past year is inspiring.
Best of luck in the future and blessings on your marriage.
August 18th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hi, this is Chris with BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis. I’m excited to break some exciting news on Andy Roddick before he hits the US OPEN!!! The world’s top tennis players and chefs are set to serve-up the US Open’s hottest pre-tournament action at the …10th Annual BNP PARIBAS TASTE OF TENNIS. This year’s lineup includes highly-ranked superstars Andy Roddick, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka, Tommy Haas and Fernando Gonzalez, as well as special guests including sports icon Billie Jean King. The players will cook-up culinary aces alongside highly acclaimed chefs including celebrity chef and author Bethenny Frankel, Carla Hall and Ariane Duarte from Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill. ESPN Sportscenter anchor Hannah Storm will serve as emcee. Come join us at the W New York Hotel for a night to remember on Thursday, August 27, 2009. Thanks and hope to see you soon. Check out our website at: http://www.tasteoftennis.com/