Moment of the Year and Match of the Year.

On Sunday, July 5, 2009 Roger Federer staked his claim as "the greatest player of all time", by winning his 15th Grand Slam championship, surpassing the great Pete Sampras who has 14 major titles.  Federer had to fight off the rejuvenated Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 in a grueling 4 hours 17 minute 5 setter.  The last set by itself was 95 minutes.  This Wimbledon final was the longest mens singles final in the history of Grand Slam tennis, as far as number of total games (77).  The win would be Federer's 6th Wimbledon championship in the past 7 years, and adding to his dominance of the event in the past decade.

Credit definetly should go to Andy Roddick who would have beaten anyone in that final, on that Sunday, not named Roger Federer.  It was a back and forth affair and Roddick had his chances at the title.  He had a nice lead in the third set tiebreaker, just to get tight and miss hit an easy lob that could of put the momentum on his side.  He was definetly in control, and looked to be on his way to a victory, but the nerves or the moment got to him and a couple shanked shots and it was gone.  I cannot say he choked, because both players gave it their all and both had opportunities to change the tide of the match, but couldn't execute.  The 5th set became a game in itself, with both players serving out of their minds.  Neither one of them could come within a whiff of a break of serve, until the end when Federer was able to squeak out the victory and his record breaking 15th Grand Slam Championship.

Roger Federer finally beating Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record, and the brilliance of the match between two players digging deep inside of themselves and fighting to win an epic marathon of a  final on tennis's grandest stage.  Had to be both the greatest moment of the year, and definetly the match of the year in my eyes.

........yes, this will be the nicest post I will ever make about Andy Roddick.