benaikey

It’s only fitting for Roger Federer to win his record 15^th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. It’s not only the king of all tennis events, but it’s where he won his very first major back in 2003. At just 21 years old, he began his meteoric rise through the ranks of the tennis world. He went on to repeat at Wimbledon and also capture the U.S. and Australian Opens the next year, only having the French Open elude him for the career Grand Slam – he eventually completed it with his win at Roland Garros earlier this year. Federer has won 15 Grand Slams in just seven years since winning his first. With the U.S. Open still upcoming this year, there exists the very real chance of him winning his 16^th.

It’s not as if he hasn’t faced some stiff competition; he actually is that good. His road to the top began at the 2003 Wimbledon where he had to not only defeat the top ranked player in the world, Andy Roddick, in the semi-finals, but he was matched up against living legend and winner of 8 career Grand Slam events Andre Agassi in the finals. Agassi, by the way, is also a winner of the career Grand Slam. Since then, he has consistently faced players such as Roddick, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal, the Pete Sampras to Federer’s Agassi.

So where does his legacy stand against other tennis greats? If you’re going by titles alone, Federer is the answer. With today’s victory over Roddick at Wimbledon, he passes Sampras for the most all-time Grand Slam titles. He is also tied with the great Bjorn Borg for consecutive victories at the world’s oldest Grand Slam, and trails Sampras for most wins at Wimbledon. However, Federer isn’t 28 yet: he’s still got time to tie Sampras for that record next year. Sampras also has the distinction of being the only man to win 8 straight Grand Slam finals appearances from 1995-2000. Federer has won 5 in a row at the U.S. open, an active streak which he can improve upon this year, and which no other man has done. He is tied with Agassi for having 3 wins in 4 years at the Australian Open, but trails Agassi by one win there overall. Federer has only won once at Roland Garros, and probably will not catch Bjorn Borg with 6 wins at the French Open.

The fact that he’s even mentioned in the same sentence as greats like those mentioned above show how far Federer has come. He’s a good guy, the anti-McEnroe. He keeps his cool, doesn’t taunt his opponents, and always shows a touch of respect. In both wins and class, he’s the tennis equivalent of Tiger Woods, and the two happen to be close friends. The only difference is I think once it’s all said and done, Federer will have more major championships.

I’m glad, as a fan, to see sports returning to winners that deserve it. Guys that work hard and throw off the chip on their shoulder. Players and teams that don’t have to bend the rules or gloat over a win. So here’s to you, Roger Federer. Congratulations on your record performance and good luck to you in keeping the pace.

Share This