FEDERER TURNS THE BEAT AROUND TO NO. 1
Wimbledon, England
by ATP Staff | 08.07.2012

Making sure everyone knows he is still as capable as ever of brilliance on a tennis court – particularly one made of grass, and with a roof overhead – Federer came back to beat Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 indoors on Centre Court for a record-tying seventh championship at the All England Club.

”It feels nice,” Federer said, clutching the gold trophy only Pete Sampras has held as many times in the modern era. ”It’s like it never left me.”

The victory also increased Federer’s record total to 17 major titles after being stuck on No. 16 for 2 1/2 years, and clinched a return to the top of the ATP rankings, overtaking Novak Djokovic, after an absence of a little more than two years. Federer’s 286th week at No. 1 ties Sampras for the most in history.

”He doesn’t want to stop now. He knows he’s going to continue to play well and try to break seven, and he could very well end up with eight or nine Wimbledons,” Sampras said in a telephone interview. ”I just think he’s that much better than the other guys on grass, and he loves the court the way I loved that court. He’s a great champion, a classy champion, and I’m really happy for him.”

“While he will turn 31 in August, Federer is showing no signs of slowing down, and is content with where he is at, on and off the court, supplying him the energy and motivation he will need to keep his place atop the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

“I’m so happy I’m at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there’s still more possible,” said Federer. “To enjoy it right now, it’s very different than when I was 20 or 25. I’m at a much more stable place in my life. I wouldn’t want anything to change. So this is very, very special right now.”

Federer will return to Wimbledon in three weeks, where he will aim to win his first singles gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.