Summit feels good for Federer

Roger Federer was back at number one in the world today, but the number 15 was of far greater significance to the Wimbledon champion.

Federer’s sixth triumph at the All England Club yesterday was also the 15th grand slam title of his career, one more than Pete Sampras, who kept his promise to watch the historic moment live by flying in overnight from California.

The 27-year-old survived an epic battle with Andy Roddick to create history, winning 5-7 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/5) 3-6 16-14 in a match which featured the most games ever in a Wimbledon final (77) and the most in a set in a final (30).

Federer felt the absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal through injury should take none of the gloss off his triumph, and added: “I’m happy that I became number one by winning the tournament, not just by him (Nadal) not playing at all. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be.

“It’s supposed to be that you win big matches, big tournaments. That’s how you get back to it.”