London - Five-times champion Roger Federer will take a run
at more tennis history with only American Andy Roddick standing in
his way at Sunday's Wimbledon men's final.
The Swiss second seed is poised to become the all-time best in the
game. If he beats Roddick it will mean a 15th Grand Slam singles
titles, putting him one ahead of now-retired friend Pete Sampras.
In addition, Federer will regain the ATP number one ranking he
lost to Rafael Nadal last August 18 after a record 237 consecutive
weeks in the top spot.
'You know who won Wimbledon a ton of times, who's been number one
for a certain amount of weeks, you know, who's won X amount of
titles,' said Federer, a keen student of the sport. 'Those are the
big stats you might know if you're interested.
'But then there are so many other records out there that people
don't know except if you reach them yourself or if somebody reaches
it. It's nice that they talk about them, because it gives me even
more of an incentive to do well for myself.'
Federer's mark against number six Roddick stands an overwhelming
18-2, with wins in 14 of their last 15 encounters dating to 2003. It
will be only the third time in tournament history that the same two
men have contested the final three times after Federer beat Roddick
for the 2004 and 2005 titles.
The 27-year-old Swiss would become just the third player to win
six or more titles behind the seven each of William Renshaw and
Sampras.
Federer would also do the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double,
following Rafael Nadal from 2008 when he held the pair of prestige
titles at the same time.
Federer will be the first man ever to contest seven straight
Wimbledon finals as he plays in his all-time record 20th Grand Slam
final.
This will be his 16th Grand Slam final appearance in the last 17
majors, his 2008 Australian Open semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic
the only failing.
The Swiss is looking forward to his 21st date with Roddick.
'I've played him 20 times, so I've had plenty of time to study his
game, to understand his game. He's always played me also quite
differently every single time I've played him
'I enjoy how he leaves everything out on the court. I can only
marvel at how incredible his serve is. I like playing against him,
not only just because of the record.'
Roddick will have to depend on the current form which ended the
dream of Andy Murray in the semis staying perfect if he's to have a
chance against the Swiss juggernaut.
'My approaches (to Federer) have been varied,' said Roddick. 'I
think maybe now more than ever I can vary it and maybe have some
confidence playing out of my element a little bit.
'I'm just trying to stay the course, I'm just going about it. I
haven't really gotten too up or too down at any point in this event,
or this year for that matter.
'I'm just gonna go try to do the same thing, just on to the next
point.'
The American gives much of the credit for a turnaround after a
2008 Wimbledon second-round defeat to new coach Larry Stefanki, a
veteran campaigner dating to his days with John McEnroe.
He also lists his April marriage to swimsuit model Brooklyn
Decker, who has had a major influence on his off-court life as a key
element in his revival.
'I know that being happy and not having any worries away from the
court, in my mind it can only help things,' he said optimistically as
he prepared to face father-to-be Federer, who also married three
months ago.
'I know how tough it is (to play a major final). I'm excited about
this one. I didn't know if I was going to get to play a final of
Wimbledon again.
'I'm certainly thankful to have that opportunity.'
But with his task all uphill on Centre court Sunday, Roddick
necessarily retains his optimistic. 'Obviously you can't really say
enough to kind of signify what Roger's career has been to this point.
'But I'd love to delay it for another Grand Slam.'
USA
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