NEWSMAKER - Federer redefines notion of greatness

By Kevin Fylan

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer, whose artistry and courtcraft have redefined the notion of tennis greatness, confirmed his status as the sport's finest player by winning a record 15th major title in an epic Wimbledon final on Sunday.

Federer not only has superior technique, fitness and an indefatigable spirit, qualities that ultimately saw him over the line in that 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 win over Andy Roddick.

The Swiss, who at the age of 27 can win many more grand slam titles, also has a speed of thought and deftness of footwork that combine to give him a decisive advantage on court and can make his victories look easy.

While others rely on instinct or muscle memory to make their shots in moments of white hot pressure, Federer can delay the moment when he must commit to a shot until impossibly late.

We saw it at Wimbledon in a semi-final performance against Tommy Haas that exposed an extraordinary gulf in class and while the final will be remembered as a slugfest more than anything there were glimpses of it there too.

Victory on Sunday took him out on his own ahead of Pete Sampras in the list of all-time grand slam title winners and the American was happy to describe as the game's greatest ever.

"In my book Federer is the greatest," Sampras said, adding: "The guy is a legend. He's an icon. He's a credit to the game."

The contrast with 'Pistol Pete' is a revealing one.