It was indeed majestic.
The last time he was at the top of the ranking, it was two years ago, June 2010 to be exact. The last time he won the Slam was also two years ago, the Australian Open in 2010. He didn't win any Slams last year, the first time since 2002 he didn't win at least one. And many believed that the great man is on his way down, having turned 30 last year and busy with his family.
But not to him. Roger Federer defies the odds again by winning the Wimbledon Championship for a record equaling seventh times, by beating Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. The victory returns Federer to No. 1 in ATP ranking and will tie him with Pete Sampras with a record 286 weeks atop the ATP rankings. He should pass Sampras next week.
So we meet again!
Murray carried the whole nation's hope of ending Britain's 76 years wait of a Champion. He did reasonably well in the first set, breaking Federer late in the game and holding his serve when serving for the set. The second set was tight, with breaks opportunity swinging both ways, but it was the maestro who took it when he broke Murray in the last game. The third set was briefly interrupted when torrential rain started to fall, and continued with the roof securely intact after a brief break. From then on, it was all Federer, again and again making those unbelievable shots, while Murray tried his best to keep his temper in check and keep up with a revitalized Federer.
When a Murray forehand looped narrowly wide after three hours 24 minutes of enthralling action, Federer dropped to the turf in joy, remembering those familiar feelings when he used to dominate the game and winning Slams after Slams.
The king is back. And I hope he is here to stay.
