NEWS: The master of grass courts takes a record 7th Wimbledon title

Two competitors–one victor: Federer

Records were to be made at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. Roger Federer was to win his 7th Wimbledon final–unprecedented in the history of this sport–or Andy Murray was to be the first British male to even make the men’s title at the All England Club since Bunny Austin took the court and lost against American Don Budge seventy-four years ago. Murray has been playing his best tennis in a Grand Slam since turning pro in 2004, and on his way to the men’s final he had to overcome both number 5 David Ferrer and number 1 Novak Djokovic–the defending Wimbledon champion.


For Roger Federer, a man on a mission to not only take the title but regain the number one ranking in the world, played his unique brand of brilliant tennis we have come to expect over the years from this court maestro. His opponent was up to the task in the first set however and took the match opening by 6 games to 4. Never one to be counted out, and even though he will be turning 31 next month, Federer fought back with a vengeance and took the sea-saw second set 7-5.  Early in the third set, the typical English rains made their appearance, and the match was delayed while the roof was closed. This break in action, and the resumption of play–now indoors–seemed to rejuvenate Federer as he started to find his champion’s gear while taking the set 6-3. The momentum had definitely shifted, and Roger showed the shot-making talent that had already earned him six former titles at this venue. 


The fourth set was another hard-fought battle, but Roger was again up to the task. In the end, Roger Federer disappointed the pro-British crowd by defeating one of their own, Andy Murray the Scot, by 6-4 in the final set. Be even though they still wait for a countrymen to take back the title, the spectators roared with applause for the efforts of someone they have come to admire and respect from his previous ventures onto Centre Court. Andy Murray fought back the tears as he addressed the crowd and his camp–thanking them all for their unending support. And although Murray walked out of the All England Club the second of two, he can carry his head up high as he showed just how close he could come to victory for himself, his fans, and an entire country with the name “Andy” on their lips during a summer tournament at Wimbledon, England 2012.