Roger Federer Wins Record 15th Grand Slam Title at Wimbledon

(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

The magnitude of a gamut of grand slam Champions in the Royal box was beginning to pick away at the sweatless brow of the mighty Swiss. Not only was Roddick serving smart, but Pete, Bjorn and Rod were watching. The demand was for greatness.

For one reason or another, Roger could not pick up anything off of the Roddick delivery. Was it a technical change by the American, or tactical resign? Federer was befuddled to say the least.

The key to Roddick's success on serve today was encouraged by his commitment to staying the course. He was not concerned with out-acing Federer; if history had taught Andy anything, it was that Roger owned that department hands down. Getting Federer into a tie-breaker format would be more than welcomed by the American.

Another descriptive and enhanced addition into Roddick's success today, which was dismal in the past, was his ability not to be reeled into the net as often as Roger would have liked. Many instances throughout the encounter saw Roger would hit his mischievous chip backhand short, in order to bring Andy into the net. To Roddick's credit, he would often times hit an inside-out forehand and barrel back to the baseline. If this were the NBA finals, Roddick would have scored high points for the pump fake. In your face Fed.

With tumbling confusion and mistrust creeping into Federer's return game, the Roddick window of opportunity opened ever so slightly in the third set 'breaker—a now or never moment was in order.

To Federer's credit, his genius kicked in just in time, with the Swiss dropping his synchronized serves in every desired corner—Roddick was left to ponder: two-sets-t0-one-down, and not losing his serve once?

Shadows of Stefan Edberg losing to Michael Stich during the '91 Championships were ever present—could Roddick lose to Federer, without ever losing his serve?

Unlike the great Swede Edberg, Roddick would not go down without Federer having to come up with one brake of serve. Preferably a four set win would have been desired by Roddick, but an uncharacteristic flaky game by the Swiss during the 2-1 game in set four, saw Roddick poised to take Wimbledon into his third straight 5th set final.

Did we all know what we were in for, when the final set of this year fortnight began?

A show of hands for all you tarot card readers out there?

With a serving display like no other, the dynasty which was the final set alone had begun. Aces a plenty were to be followed by either a nod of approval, or a bewildered return to compensate. This thing was going the distance.

The first point of each service game would become the landmark for how each game would be won; each player was fully engaged in the task of service mechanics, and not ability to make inroads on the other's delivery. Uncertainly, regarding how this thing was actually going to end, was not only puzzling the millions watching, but also the two generous participants.

A few break points were offered here and there, with Federer serving, yes folks, a record 50 aces to fend off any American adversity. Let it be known that even though Federer had a record serving day, at 14-all in the fifth set, Roddick, not Federer, was the man who had never conceded a single service.

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