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Summary The victory today is a dream come true for me and my family, says Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.
Up in the players box on Centre Court, Roger Federers twin daughters squirmed, yawned, made funny faces and then applauded the new Wimbledon champion.The girls turn 3 this month. They were 6 months old the last time Federer won a Grand Slam title.The victory today is a dream come true for me and my family, you know, seeing them there, he said. Its big.At 30, Federer showed the kids what he can do, and strengthened his contention hes far from finished. Federer ended a Grand Slam drought and equaled a Wimbledon record by winning the tournament for the seventh time Sunday, beating Andy Murray of Britain, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.For months Federer had been widely viewed as a champion in decline, eclipsed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Now he has won a 17th major title, padding his record, and hes back atop the ATP rankings for the first time since June 2010, matching Pete Sampras record of 286 weeks at No. 1.In less than three weeks, Federer will be back at Wimbledon trying to win his first Olympic singles gold medal. Hell be tough to beat in a setting where he plays his best tennis.I feel better here for some reason, he said. I dont know why, but its very unique and special in many ways.He matched the record of seven Wimbledon titles set in the 1880s by William Renshaw and tied in 2000 by Federers hero, Sampras. And while he ended his own 2½-year Grand Slam dry spell, he extended decades of frustration for the British, who havent had a homegrown mens champion since 1936.Murray, a Scotsman, was the first Brit to make the mens final since 1938. In anticipation of the match, fans camped out overnight in the rain just for a grounds pass so they could watch on a large video screen near the practice courts.The Royal Box audience included British Prime Minister David Cameron, soccer star David Beckman and Prince Williams wife, the former Kate Middleton. Murray tried to give them a good show, taking an early lead and then losing a close second set when he was broken in the final game.The match began in sunshine, but rain interrupted play early in the third set, and the retractable roof was closed for a singles final for the first time since it was added in 2009.And while Federer is good on grass, it turns out hes especially good indoors on grass.When the roof closed, he played unbelievable tennis, Murray said.Federer agreed.I played terrific, he said.Coming into the match, Federer had won 20 of his 74 titles indoors. With wind eliminated as a factor, he can swing even more aggressively and hit his pinpoint serves with even more accuracy.Thats what happened. A 26-point, 20-minute game in the third set proved pivotal and provided the matchs most memorable moments. Murray fell to the grass three times during the game but also saved five break points before he was finally broken to give Federer a 4-2 lead.Federer held every service game the rest of the way. With the win, he became the first thirtysomething man to win Wimbledon since Arthur Ashe in 1975, and he reclaimed the No. 1 ranking from Djokovic.Federer lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2010 and 2011, then blew a two-set lead against Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals last year, when he squandered two match points.There was speculation that parenthood had cost him his edge, and that his best days were behind him.I understand everyone wants to be the first to have mentioned it or said it first that, OK, this is the decline, he said. I see it more as a steppingstone, a period I have to go through. I knew how close I was for the last few years.Now, with Federers fortunes on the rebound, mens tennis remains compelling and competitive at the top. For the first time since 2005, the first three major tournaments have been won by three different players.Djokovic won the Australian Open in January. Nadal won a record seventh French Open title last month.And then theres Murray, now 0-4 in Grand Slam finals, with three of those losses to Federer. The only other man in the Open era to losehis first four major finals was Ivan Lendl, who happens to be Murrays coach.Lendl went on to win eight Grand Slam titles. Murray believes hell yet make a breakthrough, perhaps even at Wimbledon, where hebecame the first Brit to reach the mens finals since 1938.Im getting closer, his told the crowd during the trophy ceremony, fighting back tears. He accepted a hug from Federer, and a moment later they were both laughing.Federer then told the crowd hell be rooting for Murray in the future.Hell at least win one Grand Slam, Federer said. This is what I hope for Andy.Now that his drought has ended, there might be more majors in Federers future, too.
