Wimbledon ’09 Features a Match for the Ages

Federer defeats Roddick in classic final as the Williams sisters steal the women’s spotlight

September 16, 2009 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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For the second consecutive year, the Wimbledon men’s final was a classic. The final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick has been ruled as the most viewed of all men’s finals at the All-England Club in the past 10 years. According to NBC, an average of 5.71 million people tuned in to watch the epic battle between Federer and Roddick which resulted in Federer walking away with a record setting 15th Grand Slam title. This is the highest ratings number that has been achieved since Pete Sampras went head-to-head against Andre Agassi and won in the 1999 final, which managed to attract 5.85 million viewers during that showdown.

The showdown between Federer and Roddick ended with a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 Federer victory that lasted for a stunning 4 hrs. and 16 min. The last set in the match, the fifth and final set, lasted longer than any other set in major final history for tennis. Roddick played arguably the best match of his life, but still came up a bit short against Federer who advanced to 16-2 lifetime against Roddick.

After the match, Roddick was noticeably emotional he still showed a great deal of class in his complimentary comments toward Federer. Federer, who did a memorable post-match interview with greats Rod Laver, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras celebrated becoming the greatest Grand Slam champion in tennis history, as he broke Sampras's previous record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

In women’s singles, it was an all-Williams final, as Serena Williams defeated big sister Venus Williams in straight sets 7-6, 6-2 to capture her third Wimbledon crown. Venus was the defending champion and had won two consecutive titles before losing to younger sister Serena in the final.

In women’s doubles Serena Williams got her second title of the tournament by joining forces with sister Venus. The fourth-seeded Williams sisters defeated the third-seeded team of Samantha Stosur/Rennae Stubbs 7-6(4), 6-4 to repeat as Wimbledon doubles champs and win their fourth Wimbledon doubles title.

In the men’s doubles final, there was another team of siblings, but they didn't have the same success as the Williams sisters. The top-seeded Bryan Brothers (Mike and Bob) were upset by the second-seeded team of Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in a tough four-set match by a score of 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.

For more information, visit www.wimbledon.org.
 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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