It's become even more clear to me that when it's all said and done Roger Federer will be recognized as the games greatest player, even if he doesn't win at Roland Garros. His game is nearly flawless. Serving, ground strokes and most of all uncanny knack for amazing
angled shots for winners. Congrats Roger, see you there next year to eclipse the legendary Borg's record of 5 straight titles.
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Rafael Nadal has defeated Federer in the past two French Open
finals to spoil his bid to complete a career Grand Slam.
Joe Klamar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Bjorn Borg attended the men's final.
Chris Young/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Roger Federer is now tied for third on the career victory list
with 11 major titles.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Locked in the toughest test of his Wimbledon
reign, against his only real rival in today's game,
Roger
Federer summoned the strokes and resolve that allow him to chase records set
by the greats of yesteryear.
And after Federer finally overcame Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic Sunday to
win his fifth consecutive championship at the All England Club and 11th Grand
Slam title overall, tying Bjorn Borg on both counts, guess who was waiting to
greet him in a hallway off Centre Court?
Borg himself. They smiled and embraced, then chatted briefly, a tete-a-tete
between the only two men in the past century to win Wimbledon five years in a
row.
''To see him after the match -- it was very fitting in my point of view,''
Federer said. ''It made me a bit more proud of myself.''
He could swell his chest all he wanted, given everything he's accomplished.
And given the way he beat three-time French Open champion Nadal 7-6 (7), 4-6,
7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2 for his 54th straight victory on grass in a taut match filled
with momentum swings and marvelous shotmaking.
Federer is No. 1, Nadal is No. 2, and they have met in four of the past six
major finals. Federer won both at the All England Club. Nadal won both at Roland
Garros. This was, by far, the best of the bunch.
''I win my share. He wins his. We've been at the top for over 100 weeks
together. It is like building up to one of maybe the great rivalries,'' Federer
said. ''We sometimes haven't lived up to the expectations in the past ... but
you can't always play five-set thrillers, you know. I'm happy it happened today.
I left as the winner. Perfect.''
He's taken 11 of the past 17 Grand Slam titles, including three apiece at the
Australian Open and U.S. Open. Now Federer's total trails only Roy Emerson's 12
and
Pete
Sampras' 14 on the list of career Grand Slam
titles.
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