Roger Federer: 7 Reasons Wimbledon 2012 Victory Proves He's Best Ever

With his four set, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Andy Murray in Sunday's Wimbledon final, Roger Federer not only takes over the No. 1 spot in the world from Novak Djokovic, but he also cements himself as the greatest men's tennis player in history.

And, no, I didn't stutter.

After getting broken twice in the first set to fall to Murray, Federer was again facing the prospect of going to a tie-break in the second set—down 30-0 with a 6-5 lead.

But, four points later, Federer had broken Murray's serve and took the second set 7-5, ultimately giving him the edge over the next two sets.

The victory gives Federer his seventh Wimbledon title and 17th total Grand Slam title.

Here are seven reasons why Wimbledon's win proved how good Federer is and why he deserves the top spot in history above the likes of Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg.

7. Slam Bam

The one thing I noticed throughout the match was every time Murray would try to lob it over Federer's head, he seemed to just jump up and smash back on Murray's side.

Although a few times Murray fought off a few of those slams, Federer was right there to slam it again.

Throughout the match, it seemed like Federer was playing with a bigger chip on his shoulder than Murray was.

And, for Federer, that aggression showed as he showed he wasn't going to be denied a seventh Wimbledon title.

He moved great throughout the tournament and showed he is still one of the best players—currently—in the world.

6. 24 Finals Appearances

Federer holds the record of Grand Slam Finals appearances with 24, and 17 of those are wins.

Ivan Lendl is second with 19.

Currently, the only guy that has a chance to beat him is Rafael Nadal with 16, which is doable.

As of right now, nobody can match Federer. He's had stretches of 10 and eight-straight Grand Slam finals.

He's been dominant for too long in Grand Slams.

5. Grand Slam Wins

Some people may say I'm placing too much emphasis on Grand Slams, but that's where you have to place emphasis on.

The reason why? It's the only four tournaments each year where—unless there's an injury—that all of the best players in the world will be competing.

There's no guarantee that all of the top players will all play at a single ATP Master's Series tournament, nor that they will all play at any of the various other tournaments the ATP puts on.

So, when a player has dominated like Federer has in Grand Slam matches, you should take notice.

Currently, he's won 244 Grand Slam matches, which is another record. Rafael Nadal currently sits in ninth all time with 157, so he has a long way to go—especially considering Federer isn't close to retirement.

Of the other four players in the top five, only Pete Sampras isn't ranked in the top 10 in Grand Slam appearances. So, both have shown they are efficient with wins and appearances. 

4. Consecutive Weeks at No. 1

Between Feb. 2, 2004, and Aug. 18, 2008, Federer held the No. 1 ranking.

That's 237 consecutive weeks.

The next closest is Jimmy Connors, who held the No. 1 ranking for 160 weeks.

It's a feat that I believe will never be matched again.

And, who can argue with that?

To equal what Federer did during that streak means a player has to be basically unbeatable for more than four years.

With the way some of these young players are moving up through the ranks, I don't ever see someone getting 100 consecutive weeks at No. 1 again, much any number close to 200.

3. Overall Weeks at No. 1

Federer takes over the No. 1 spot in the world Monday.

The current record for the most total weeks at No. 1 in a career is shared with Pete Sampras at 286 weeks.

Come next week, Federer will be all alone at the top.

And, that's at 30 years old.

Imagine, if he wins the U.S. Open, how much longer he'll be at the No. 1 spot.

Could he push it to over 300 weeks?

2. Seven Wimbledon Titles

With Sunday's win, Federer tied Pete Sampras and William Renshaw with seven Wimbledon titles—although some may discount Renshaw's titles because they weren't in the Open Era.

Federer has asserted his dominance at the All-England Club, winning five titles in a row (2003-07) and making seven straight finals (2003-09).

Next year, I see Federer surpassing Sampras for most Wimbledon victories.

Why not? He's only 30.

If Wimbledon isn't enough to convince you, then consider his five U.S. Open titles (tied for second) and four Australian Open titles (also tied for second).

Throw in there one French Open title in 2009, and you have the makings of a player who can do it on all surfaces.

1. 17 Grand Slam Titles

If all of those reasons aren't enough for you, then how about 17 Grand Slam titles?

Although he's help the title of winning the most Grand Slam titles since his last Wimbledon victory in 2009, there were still many skeptics about his play—mainly due to his age.

Apparently, the fact that he hadn't won a Grand Slam since the 2010 Australian Open made him a dinosaur and someone who would sit behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the rest of his career.

But, again, Federer showed he is the best player ever and one of the most dominating Wimbledon players ever.

While many people will say I'm blowing smoke, I believe Federer can get to 20 Grand Slam titles.

What do you think?