If you have missed yesterday's 2009 Wimbledon Mens championship match, then you have missed something truly special. I'm still a bit woozy as I write this hub (it was 01:30 am in my part of the world when the match ended). but it was well worth it.

In an epic game between two players with contrasting fates, Roger Federer bested Andy Roddick in a gruelling 5 sets, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 and after more than four hours. In so doing, Roger made history by breaking a tie with Pete Sampras for the most Grand Slam titles won, and perhaps cementing his legacy as the greatest player in tennis history. The match finally ended after Federer broke Roddicks serve for the first time all game long, with the score 16-14 in the fifth and deciding set.

This was not supposed to be the script, however. All pre-game analysis indicated that it was going to be a walk in the park for Federer, and the analysts and pundits have every reason to believe so.

Roger, who also reclaimed the no. 1 ranking, which he yielded to Rafael Nadal last year, was gunning for his 6th Wimbledon crown, and a page in the history books for his 15th Grand Slam title. He had never lost to Roddick in a Grand Slam finals.

Roddick, on the other hand, was searching for only his second Grand Slam title since 2003, when he won the U.S. open. He is only 2-18 against Federer over their career match-ups, including a 0-7 record in Grand Slam tournaments, three of which at Wimbledon.

But, as it turned out, the match became a gripping battle of will power and tenacity. The game went to a deciding fifth set which also made history in itself by becoming the longest played fifth set in a Wimbledon final. Roger just could not seem to break Andy's serve up until the last minute. The American made a gritty stand and gave Federer a run for his money. He showed remarkable resiliency by levelling out each time the Swiss sensation gains one up on him. Unfortunately, and as destiny would have it, Roger Federer would not be denied of this win. Not in front of all these legends before him.

I never really was a tennis guy. My main sport was basketball. But ever since I watched a Roger Federer match one time on ESPN a couple of years ago, I became a convert. I know a special athlete when I see one, and Roger is truly one hell of an athlete. He just plays the game with such effortless ease and grace you would be thinking you were watching a ballet performance. Whenever he plays, one would be led to believe that tennis is so easy to play. You actually would want to pick up a tennis racket and play even if you don't know how. He has a tremendous all-around game that seems to be devoid of any weaknesses. And most of all, he is as personable and approachable today as when he won his first Grand Slam.

Only a few other athletes are at par with Roger when it comes to excellence and mastery in his sport. Tiger Woods, another phenomenal athlete and a great golf champion, one. The same could be said of Manny Pacquiao in boxing. And yes, you could throw in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in basketball.

And so on this day, after winning his 15th Grand Slam title, Roger Federer finally surpassed Pete Sampras, the seven time Wimbledon champion who came all the way from California to make his first appearance at the All England Club since playing there for the last time in 2002. Also on hand to see the historic event were other tennis legends such as John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, and Rod Laver.

With six Wimbledon titles to his name, Roger now only lags behind Sampras and William Renshaw who each had seven. He only needs to win two more in order to be hailed the greatest tennis player of all time. But then again, with 15 Grand Slams, isn't he already the greatest?