Federer vows to keep breaking records

• Source: Global Times
• [23:18 July 06 2009]
• Comments

Roger Federer poses with the trophy after beading Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14. Photo: AFP

Roger Federer today vowed to continue rewriting tennis history, but admitted he feels he still shares Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam record rather than having eclipsed his great American friend.

Federer clinched a sixth Wimbledon title today after an epic confrontation with Andy Roddick, a victory which gave him a record 15th Grand Slam, surpassing Sampras’ mark that he had equalled at the French Open in June.

Still only 27, Federer has played 39 successive Grand Slams and has amassed his collection of majors in the space of just six years.

Sampras, who won seven Wimbledon titles in all, was 31 when he won the last of his 14 Grand Slam champions at the 2002 US Open.

But with Sampras predicting the Swiss star could easily win at least 19 majors, Federer was quick to recognize the debt he owes to the American who returned to the All England Club for the first time in seven years to see history made.

“I definitely feel like it’s come full circle for me, starting here and ending it here,” said Federer, who won his first major at Wimbledon in 2003.

“Of course, my career is far from over. But I know how much the record meant to Pete and he knows how much the record means to me.”

“In a way, I still feel like we share it just because he was such a wonderful champion. He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon.”

Despite all his records, fame and considerable fortune, Federer said he is still amazed by his achievements in the sport.

“I never thought I could be this consistent, that great a player with so many qualities,” he said.

Having lost all his Wimbledon finals to Federer, heartbroken Roddick saluted Roger’s gladitorial, record-breaking performance after the longest deciding set in the history of men’s singles at the All England Club.

“He was having trouble picking up my serve today for the first time ever,” said the 26-year-old. “But you didn’t even get a sense that he was even really frustrated by it. He kind of stayed the course and just toughed it out.”

“He gets a lot of credit for a lot of things, but not for how many matches he kind of digs deep and toughs out. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for that because it looks easy to him a lot of the times. But he definitely stuck in there today.”

(Agencies)