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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