Although it mightn’t seem like it at first, but today’s column is about Rory McIlroy.

This is new for football, what it has with Messi and Ronaldo.

Andy Roddick chose his 30th birthday to announce his retirement from tennis, saying: “It’s time.”

Once the Centre Court roof was closed, nothing could stop Roger Federer from winning his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title.

Roger Federer is one win away from matching the record achievement of his hero Pete Sampras after brilliantly ending his wait to reach another Wimbledon final.

TO my mind, sporting folklore has concerned itself too often with the underdog.

A YEAR dominated by Novak Djokovic could end with yet another record racked up by the enduring Roger Federer.

Roger Federer today warned his run to the French Open final was just a gentle warm-up for Wimbledon as he targeted a record-equalling seventh title.

Roger Federer equalled Pete Sampras’ mark of 64 career titles as he beat Florian Mayer in straight sets in the final of the Stockholm Open.

PETE SAMPRAS. Andre Agassi. Andre Agassi. Pete Sampras.

ROGER FEDERER felt awkward for a moment, celebrating his 16th Grand Slam title while Andy Murray cried for Britain.

ROGER FEDERER survived another epic final to win his sixth Wimbledon and record 15th grand slam title against a gallant Andy Roddick yesterday.

ANDY RODDICK produced one of the best performances of his life yesterday to triumph over hot favourite and home hope Andy Murray and set up another final showdown with Roger Federer tomorrow.

Roger Federer remains on track for a record-breaking 15th grand slam title after breezing through the first round at Wimbledon but the Swiss ace is not the best ever grasscourt player, according to Andy Murray.

Pete Sampras does not think Britain will have long to wait before Andy Murray delivers on his promise and claims a Grand Slam title.

Pete Sampras has backed Roger Federer to break his record number of grand slam wins in the “next couple of years” and hopes to be there when it happens.

Roger Federer insists he is “back to normal” after glandular fever hampered his start to the 2008 season.

Pete Sampras admitted he was happy just to be competitive after sealing a surprise victory over world number one Roger Federer in the final match of their three-game exhibition tour in Macau.

ROGER FEDERER has turned to the history books and other sports in his search for new objectives following a fourth consecutive US Open win.

IT IS not yet in the class of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, but the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is simmering nicely.

ROGER FEDERER did not actually erect a sign on Centre Court which said ’Keep off the grass’.

Roger Federer became only the eighth man ever to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles with a majestic victory over Andy Roddick on Centre Court today.

Defending champion Roger Federer will aim to match tennis legends Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg today as he bids for a hat-trick of consecutive Wimbledon wins.

Roger Federer has revealed his desire to emulate boy-hood hero Boris Becker and claim a third Wimbledon title.

Former champion John McEnroe believes Roger Federer is virtually unbeatable as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon crown.

Marat Safin paid tribute to coach Peter Lundgren after his brilliant victory over home favourite Lleyton Hewitt in the Australian Open final.

Tim Henman is a man in a hurry to make history.

Renowned and revered as coursing’s top trainer, Michael Murphy’s success and secrets are the envy of his peers. He gave a rare interview to Diarmuid O’Flynn on the eve of the National Meeting at Clonmel

It was as easy as 1-2-3 for Andy Roddick to book a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with Marat Safin (pictured) at the Australian Open today.

LEYTON HEWITT, the 2001 champion, cruised into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows as he thrashed Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Two of Pete Sampras’s fiercest rivals have paid tribute to him at his retirement ceremony.

Pete Sampras, arguably the greatest tennis player in history, announced his retirement tonight at the place where he won his first and last Grand Slam title.

THEY turned the clock back a few years at Wimbledon yesterday as a man in a headband reached the men’s final along with a ferocious serve machine.

Tim Henman’s Wimbledon dream is over for another year.

Pete Sampras has revealed he will never return to play at Wimbledon unless he is confident he can challenge for the title.

Pete Sampras has withdrawn from this year’s Wimbledon and appears to be on the verge of retirement.

Pete Sampras has withdrawn from next week’s Italian Open, one of the premier warm-up events for the year’s second grand slam – the French Open.

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN, who once threatened to quit the sport when he was only 18, now insists he could be potting balls at the top level beyond his 40th birthday.

WHEN Paul Carbery steered Bobbyjo to victory in the Martell Grand National in 1999 there was more than an element of DNA symmetry to the performance.

ONLY a foolish man would count out even an aging Pete Sampras.

Pete Sampras won his fifth US Open title and 14th Grand Slam with a 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4 victory over long-time rival Andre Agassi.

Pete Sampras reached the US Open final, by beating Sjeng Schalken 7-6 7-6 6-2.

Pete Sampras books his place in the semi-final of the US Open after defeating Andy Roddick 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

JENNIFER CAPRIATI became the first of the big four Americans to fall at the US Open when she lost to Amelie Mauresmo on Wednesday.