Roger Federer wins seventh Wimbledon!

It’s days like this that the depth of my tennis fandom emerges.

I was so excited about today’s Wimbledon men’s final that I didn’t fall asleep until past 2 a.m. then awoke at 5 a.m. to watch the pre-match coverage on ESPN.

So, I’m kind of a sleepy wreck as I write this!

But it was all worth it to see such a high-quality match between Roger Federer and Andy Murray. I would have been happy for Murray and for all of Britain if he had become the first British man in more than 70 years to take the title but it was not to be.

Federer was simply too good in the end and beat Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to win a record-tying seventh Wimbledon title. (Pete Sampras also has seven). It was a HUGE win for Federer because with it, he reclaims the number one ranking in men’s tennis for the first time in two years and on Monday, will tie Sampras’s record for the most weeks ranked number one.

Overall, it is Federer’s 17th grand slam title – more than any other male player in history. Sampras is second with 14. His current archrivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have 11 and 5 slams, respectively.

Which brings us to Murray who has won none. Today’s lost was his fourth in a slam final bit it was his best performance in a title round. He was simply beaten, he did not beat himself.

“I’m getting closer!” an emotional Murray told the Centre Court crowd which had unabashedly been in his corner.

Murray unsuccessfully held back tears but finally managed to say more: “I’d like to congratulate Roger. … He’s not bad for a 3o year old.He showed what fight he still has left in him.”

He then got tearful again as be thanked the crowd: “Everyone always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon. It’s not [because of] the people watching. They make it so much easier to play.”

Here is video of Murray’s very emotional post-match moments:

Federer, who gave Murray a hug, had kind words for his opponent who he has also beaten in US Open and Australian Open finals.

“He’s done so well over the years, been so consistent. It shows he cares so dearly about tennis. He will win at least one grand slam title. That’s what I hope for Andy.”

Of being back in the grand slam winners circle for the first time since the 2010 Australian Open Federer said: “Obviously I couldn’t be more happy. It feels great to be back here as the winner. It’s a great moment. It’s amazing. … I never stopped believing.”