Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to win a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title and 17th grand slam crown.
The Swiss third seed recovered from a sluggish start to dominate the match and return to the top of the world rankings, ending Murray's hopes of becoming the first British man to win the title on home soil for 76 years.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland waves to the crowd as runner up Andy Murray of Great Britain looks on.
(Getty Images) |
Tennis legend John McEnroe acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion prior to the start of the match with his brother Patrick during their joint ESPN coverage.
"I’ve been coming for 35 years Patrick and I’ve been waiting for this — the Brit in the final," he said.
Brushing back tears after the match, Murray told the crowd: "I’m getting closer.”
Murray started well, taking the first set and dictating the second until Federer conjured a brilliant break of serve out of the blue in the 12th game to clinch it.
Rain halted the match for 40 minutes early in the third set and when the players returned under the closed roof on Centre Court Federer took control.
He made the decisive break in a marathon sixth game and broke for 3-2 in the fourth set before clinching victory on his second match point in three hours 24 minutes.
Britain has been waiting 76 years for a homegrown men's champion at the All England Club, and the expectations on Murray were huge. Thousands of fans watched the match on a huge screen on "Murray Mount," but left the grounds still waiting for a British winner.
Inside the stadium, Prince William's wife, Kate, sat in the Royal Box along with David Beckham, British Prime Minister David Cameron and a slew of former Wimbledon champions.
Many of them left a bit disappointed as well.
Newsmax staff contributed to this report.
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