(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
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ely, he did so without facing a single match point.Finally, after Federer took a 15-14 lead, Roddick showed his first signs of fatigue. Three mishits gave Federer an opening, and he walked right through to claim the match.
By the time it was over, the match had lasted 77 games—the most ever for a Wimbledon final. With 30 games, the fifth set was the longest final set in tournament history.
While the history books will forever recall the 2009 Wimbledon Finals as the victory that moved Roger Federer past Pete Sampras in the record books, the championship will also be remembered by anyone who watched as the tournament in which Andy Roddick emerged as a member of the tennis elite.
Though his name was not added to the list of Wimbledon champions on this day, Roddick stamped himself as a tennis champion. He was nearly flawless on the court and gracious following his heart-breaking defeat.
Roddick’s determination and refusal to quit illustrated just what is great about sports.
Even though the final outcome was technically what most expected, the way the conclusion was reached proved to be beyond anyone’s grandest expectations and truly was a special gift for sports fans.
Check out Dean Hybl's sports blog: Sports Then and Now, to read about more great athletes and moments in sports history.
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