Although Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had dominated the headlines and the top two ranking places since the start of the year, Roger Federer was playing out his own long-game close behind.

In truth, his plan had taken shape at the end of 2011, bouncing back from lost match-points in the semi of the US Open to advance unbeaten through Davis Cup rubbers on Australian grass and then indoors in Basel, Paris and London.

He reached the semis in Australia before going on another three-title spree on Rotterdam’s indoor courts and then the hot outdoor courts of Dubai and Indian Wells.

By the time he hit Wimbledon, Federer had also taken the Madrid Masters and closed the points gap on the top two: fewer than 3,000 points behind Djokovic and barely 500 behind Nadal. But he had still not managed to beat Djokovic since that lost US Open semi—and he drew the Serb in the London semis.

Before they would play one another, the road to No2 opened up when world No100 Lukas Rosol played the tennis of his career to beat Nadal in the second round, 6-4 in the fifth set.

It was glittering and shocking in equal measure, and Nadal’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2005. However, the next day, Federer came within a hair’s breadth of copying Nadal. He came back from two sets down to level in a fourth-set tie-break before beating fellow 30-year-old Julien Benneteau, 6-2, in the fifth. Clearly carrying a back problem, would Federer’s plan come unstuck in week two? A three-day break helped his cause and he motored towards second Friday and Djokovic.

Here, with perfect Swiss timing, the plan was revealed. If he beat Djokovic and went on to win the title, Federer could claim a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title and the top ranking, thereby breaking Pete Sampras’s record 286 weeks at No1. Little wonder he began to play some of his finest tennis of the summer—beating Djokovic in four and going on to beat Murray after losing the opening set in a high-quality, highly emotional contest.

Federer would meet Murray again a month later on the very same court for the final of the Olympics. He would also continue the race to the year-end No1 with Djokovic well into the autumn indoor season, beating the Serb to take the Cincinnati title along the way. But before that, it would be Murray’s turn to dominate the quartet.

Murray’s big, golden apple

After his loss to Djokovic in Australia, Andy Murray said what everyone else could see: “I think there’s a very fine line between being No1 in the world and being 3 or 4. I feel tonight I closed [that gap]…My job over the next two or three months is to surpass him and the guys in front of me.”

In fact he surpassed Djokovic less than a month later, in the semis of Dubai, but then lost to Federer. Djokovic got the better of him again in Indian Wells before Federer beat him at Wimbledon. But that last match was highly competitive—Murray repeated “I’m getting closer”—and with every step along the way, Murray’s face and words spoke of growing self-belief as his game matured with the help of new coach Ivan Lendl.

It was at the Olympics that his stars finally fell into alignment: a repeat of his Wimbledon final against Federer; buoyed up by a fervent home crowd; a win over Djokovic in the semis; and the knowledge that the Swiss had been detained in his semi by the toughest match of the Olympics.

It had taken Federer a record 4hrs 26mins to defeat del Potro 19-17 in the third and final set, and both men would go on to take a medal for their efforts—but not the gold. For Murray would race through the best-of-five final for the loss of just seven games.

Murray’s exploits on grass transitioned to a more lack-lustre run on the North American hard courts, but he was, it transpired, just recharging his batteries. The US Open would bring him face-to-face with Djokovic again, this time in a final, and this, like Australia, would go the distance

In their previous 13 matches, the man to win the opening set had won the match, which made the 87-minute opener, packed with demanding baseline rallies, hugely significant. It was Murray who took the longest tie-break—24 minutes—in US Open history, 12-10, and he went on to take the second set too. But Djokovic levelled to force a decider—and now Murray would prove his depth of confidence by breaking twice to win his first Grand Slam.

It was enough to take him past Nadal to No3 in the rankings but, more important, it brought to an end the 76-year wait for a British male Grand Slam champion.

Murray became, as a result, one of the favourites for the concluding title of the year—especially as it would be played out in front of a home crowd—but 2012 would take one more turn, back to its start.

Part one: It began and ended with Novak Djokovic

Part three tomorrow: Djokovic ends where he started

He has the kind of physical presence, unbreakable will and warrior spirit that would have made him a champion in whatever sport he chose. Nadal chose the gladiatorial, one-on-one, fight-to-the-death, energy-sapping sport of tennis. That he happens also to be blessed with glowering good looks and a boy-next-door charm has ensured the status of superstar.

So Nadal’s absence from the courts, from the big-time draws and from the rivalries that have made men’s tennis one of the most compelling sports of the last decade, has become the unexpected talking point of 2012.

A year that started with questions about Roger Federer’s prospects of ever winning another Grand Slam, about Andy Murray’s hopes of ever winning one Grand Slam, and about Novak Djokovic’s chances of winning the complete Grand Slam, has ended with the focus squarely on the fourth of the top quartet.

And, with an unkind symmetry, No4 is currently where Nadal finds himself in the rankings for the longest stretch since he became No2 in June 2005.

For Nadal has not played a single match since losing a long and intense five-set battle to Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round of Wimbledon in June.

First, he pulled out of the Olympic Games, where he was to carry the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony, with what was thought to be a recurrence of the tendinitis that had intermittently affected his knees.

Then he pulled out of the US Open to continue treatment on what was now described as a partial tear of the patella tendon and inflammation of the Hoffa’s fat pad.

Then during the tournament, he revealed that he would miss much of the autumn to rest and recuperate: “I feel better after the meeting with my doctors and happy knowing that the evolution of the past weeks has been positive and surgery has been avoided. I will continue to work with the plan my doctors have established to be able to compete as soon as possible.”

Now, Nadal has shed doubt on whether his return will come before the year is out. Talking to selected media this week in Madrid, it was clear that “doubt” was the operative word.

He began with the Davis Cup final, saying to Reuters: “If things go well and I can make the final and the captain thinks I am the right person to play it, then I’ll be there. If not, I’ll be supporting the guys from afar.”

Spain will be competing for their fourth Davis Cup title in five years in less than seven weeks’ time but bearing in mind that Nadal is still undergoing intense physiotherapy and strengthening work without going near a tennis court, his chances of facing the Czech Republic—especially away from home on what are unlikely to be clay courts—seem negligible, especially in the light of other comments to the Daily Mail.

“I hope you see me in Australia. That is the biggest goal for me, to come back just before then in Qatar, but I cannot say for sure it is going to happen.

“The only thing is to recover well. I want to be 100 per cent when I come back. I don’t want to keep playing every day with doubts, not knowing if my knee is going to answer all the questions.”

That, then, was the teasing timetable—not intentional, of course, but leaving room for considerable uncertainty about when he will return.

What does seem certain, however, is that Nadal will not feature at the World Tour Finals in London despite qualifying, back in July, for the eighth straight year.

It is a title he has never won and an event that has never seen his best. Even in the year that he dominated almost from start to finish, 2010, his body simply could not carry him over the winning line. For while he revels in the clay and can adjust to the forgiving grass, the physical nature of Nadal’s game has always struggled with the unforgiving hard courts that dominate the calendar—especially in the last months.

“I think tennis is a very aggressive and demanding sport and obviously the knees suffer above all when you are playing on hard courts.

“The reality is that at the age of 26 and after a career of more than 10 years, with very good results, it has been my good fortune that my knees have not prevented me competing at the highest level for many years. I hope that when I return they don’t hinder me.”

It is, indeed, easy to forget for how many years and how many matches—more than 700 on the main tour alone—those powerful Spanish legs have pounded the world’s tennis courts.

He won his first ATP match in 2002 before he was 16 and then cut a career-announcing swathe through the year’s Futures circuit: a 37-3 winning run that included six titles and a year-end ranking of 200.

2003 was the year of Challengers—two titles from six finals—and his debut, aged 17, in Grand Slam tennis, reaching R3 at Wimbledon and R2 at the US Open. He twice beat top-10 players and ended the year at 49.

At 18, in 2004, he won the key singles rubber in Spain’s Davis Cup title-winning victory over the USA and reached two ATP finals, winning his first title in Sopot.

Still a teenager in 2005, Nadal transitioned into the big time like few others have done. He won his biggest annual tally of 11 titles, including his first Grand Slam in Paris and four Masters—in three different environments—to end the year as No2. In any other decade, he would quickly have become No1 but instead he encountered the glass ceiling of Federer and stayed in second place for more than three years.

2006 brought five titles, his first Wimbledon final and an Open Era record of 62 straight wins on clay. There were six more titles in 2007.

In 2008, he won eight, including his first Wimbledon, Olympic gold and with it the No1 ranking for almost a year. He ended the year with an ATP-topping 82 match wins and 93 matches.

The next year brought a first Australian Open title but also his first extended absence—nine weeks—with knee problems after his one and only loss at the French Open. Yet he bounced back in 2010 with possibly his finest season, winning three Grand Slams and another year stretch at No1.

Now, though, he confronted another man for supremacy as Djokovic put together one of the all-time great seasons in 2011. Even so, Nadal reached 10 finals, three of them Grand Slams, winning the French Open.

But by the end, he was weary and failed to make the semis of the World Tour Finals. It was clear that he was discontent: “We can find excuses, we can find problems for more time, but is not the moment to say that.

“Is the moment to still fight? Is the moment to say the season is over? I had good season. I’m happy for that. I’m not happy about a few things during the season. This end of the year wasn’t easy for me: That’s hard to accept. But at the same time it’s given me a little bit more goal for the beginning of 2012.”

And he did not let his fans down. First he played almost to the death in the longest Grand Slam final—five hours 53 minutes—to lose to Djokovic in Melbourne. He reached the semis of both the hard court Masters in North America though he had to pull out of Miami with a knee problem.

Back on clay, he won four titles, beating Djokovic in the finals of Monte Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros, his record seventh French title.

But trouble was brewing, though Nadal has only now revealed to what extent: “Was it a mistake to play at Wimbledon? Maybe, but when you are playing well it is hard to stop. At Roland Garros I had to play with anti-inflammatories to get through. After that I felt really bad. My practice before Wimbledon was terrible. I played the first round with injections, otherwise it would have been impossible. That doesn’t help the knee.”

It places his back-breaking—and it transpires, knee-breaking—loss to Rosol into a new light. It also explains why Nadal is being extra-cautious about a winter return.

“We’ll see how things develop in the next few weeks but my priority is to recover well: not quickly but well. Obviously as soon as possible but the main thing is to have the certainty that you are fine when you do return.”

Should he never pick up a racket again, his place in tennis history is assured. With 50 titles, 21 of them Masters and 11 Grand Slams, plus a 20-1 Davis Cup singles record, he has nothing to prove. However, tennis would lose one its most vivid flames.

There is no danger of the spark being snuffed out just yet, though: “I am 26 years old and I am confident I have plenty of years ahead.

“What I want is to recover well and to continue enjoying tennis and competition, which is what make me happy right now.”

The world No4 tennis ace broke down in tears in front of millions of TV viewers after losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final just 12 days ago.

And the four-time Grand Slam runner-up is prepared to put his fans through an emotional rollercoaster once again as he bids for Olympic gold.

“I’ve always been very emotional, I just try not to show it in front of the cameras and in front of millions of people,” said the Scot.

“It is pretty uncomfortable at the time when you cannot control your emotions in front of everybody watching.

“But I’m sure if I get close to winning medals or winning the Olympics, then yes I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some more emotions.”

The 25-year-old insists the injury to Rafael Nadal, ruling the Beijing gold medallist out of the Games, will have no affect on his own hopes as he would have been in the opposite side of the draw.

And he has welcomed the decision to introduce an extra week’s break between the French Open and Wimbledon from 2015.

“It will help guys going into Wimbledon as best prepared as possible,” he said.

“I think that is what you want in all sports. You want to make sure when the big events come around that the players have had enough time to prepare properly and can play their best tennis.

“With the extra week, that will help.”

© Sportsbeat 2012

Hot on the heels of one of the most eventful Wimbledon Championships of the decade, and days before the All England Club hosts 2012’s historic Olympic tennis event comes an announcement almost as significant.

After more than a century of tradition, the Wimbledon Championships will be moved back in the sporting calendar by one week.

A statement released by the All England Club today confirmed that: “Following extensive consultation across the tennis and wider sporting world, The Championships’ dates will be moved back by one week with effect from 2015.”

The significance of the move cannot be understated. The Official Guide to the 2012 Championships affirmed its traditional slot in the British summer season just weeks ago: “The Tournament starts each year six weeks before the first Monday in August.”

Its new slot will instead place the tournament almost entirely in July: Wimbledon 2015 will run from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July.

In recent years, the tennis calendar has come under increasing criticism from players who have complained that the rigours of the modern tour, the criss-crossing of time-zones throughout the season, and the concertinaing of Grand Slams with compulsory ATP tournaments and Davis Cup duties, have all but eliminated time for rest and recuperation.

One of the problems with building in recovery gaps has been that the Grand Slams and Davis Cup are not part of the ATP Tour structure. So while player representation on the ATP council brought some change last year, including a longer off-season in December, the Grand Slams have generally been regarded as immovable feasts.

Wimbledon in particular—the oldest and most traditional of the four—has dovetailed with a sequence of other British summer season highlights such as Henley, Royal Ascot and the golf Open. But its proximity to the French Open has caused one of the biggest headaches in the calendar, entailing both a swift physical recovery between two of most demanding events in tennis and also the difficult transition from clay to grass in the space of fewer than three weeks.

Announcing the decision, Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Club, said: “The best interests of tennis will be served by allowing the players more time to recuperate and to adjust from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass at Wimbledon.

“All our research indicates that there is widespread support within the game for extending the gap between the French Open and Wimbledon and, importantly, we think most players will welcome the prospect of a longer grass court season and spending more time on the softer surface of grass.”

There are currently just four grass events between the two Majors, and the first two—at London’s Queen’s Club and at Halle in Germany—begin the day after the French Open final. This year, with the French tournament extending to Monday due to rain, the transition for winner Rafael Nadal was particularly difficult. He lost early in Halle and was then a shock loser in the second round at Wimbledon. He has now also withdrawn from the Olympics with knee tendonitis.

The delay in implementing the change will enable the ATP tour to review and adjust its own calendar. Last week, for example, there were three tournaments—one of them the only remaining grass event of the year in Newport in the USA—that could, in future, overlap with Wimbledon.

Brook explained: “In making this change from 2015 we recognise that there will be some important consequences for the overall tennis calendar and enough time needs to be given to allow us all to plan accordingly. In anticipation of the work required, I would like to thank our colleagues throughout the game for their enthusiasm and support for the vision of a tennis calendar that will better suit the needs of the modern day sport.”

One event that will not be affected is the next Olympics in Rio. That is already set to begin later than London 2012, on 5 August.

For more on players’ discontent with the tennis calendar, check out the post-US Open debate.

When he fell from the No1 ranking in May 2010, losing in the quarters at Roland Garros—his first loss before the semis of a Grand Slam in six years—he was one week short of the record held by Pete Sampras: 286 weeks as the best tennis player in the world.

When Federer made an even more surprising exit in the quarters at Wimbledon, it looked to some as though the reign of one of the greatest players to pick up a racket may finally be on the wane. He was, after all, approaching the nether regions of his 20s and facing down his 30th birthday in just a year’s time.

As Federer advanced into 2011 and failed to defend his Australian Open title, he was left without a Grand Slam title to his name for the first time since July 2003.

As the year went on, with his only title recorded in the opening week of the year in Doha, he lost to Jurgen Melzer in Monte Carlo, Richard Gasquet in Rome and to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic many times over.

His loss to the Serb in Indian Wells saw him fall to No3 and when he lost in the quarters of Wimbledon again, it was now all about Djokovic, the new No1, and the man he had supplanted, Nadal.

There were then, by Federer’s standards, early losses at the next two Masters—the third round in Montreal and the quarters at Cincinnati—which were quickly followed by a match that seemed to confirm the doom-mongers’ words: the loss to Djokovic, from two sets up and holding two match points, in the semi-final of the US Open.

That took the margin between Federer at No3 and Djokovic at No1 to a huge 6,340—and still Federer had not won a title since Doha.

Then when Federer pulled out of the Shanghai Masters, he dropped outside the top three for the first time since June 2003.

And so began the journey back. Revitalised and refocused, Federer took to his most successful environment—indoors—to win his last three tournaments of the year: a fifth Basel title, a first Paris Masters and a record sixth World Tour Finals title. In the process, he returned to No3 and began to close the gap on Nadal and Djokovic.

Back indoors in Rotterdam, Federer won his first 2012 title. Moving outdoors, he won his fifth Dubai title, then came the Masters title in Indian Wells—his fourth in the Californian desert—and, with his 20th Masters title in Madrid, he overtook Nadal, though just for a week, to reach No2.

Nadal filled the headlines at the end of the clay season as he regained the No2 spot, but his grass campaign floundered and, suddenly, the talk turned to Federer’s chances of reaching the top—if he could win Wimbledon.

The result became history—literally. He reached a record eighth final, won a record-equalling seventh title and, sure enough, secured that vital remaining week at No1 to equal the Sampras record. This week, he goes one better to claim the record as his own: 287 weeks.

Since losing to Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last year, Federer has compiled a 63-6 win-loss run comprising eight titles—three 500s, three Masters, the World Tour Finals and Wimbledon—as well as the semis at the Australian and the French Opens.

It all adds up to 75 titles through 12 seasons. It comprises a record 24 Major finals and a record 17 Major titles.

He has reached 33 straight Grand Slam quarter-finals, an unbroken run of more than eight years: The next best is Ivan Lendl on 14.

He holds a record of 23 straight semi-finals—almost six years. The next best streak is 10, shared by Lendl and Rod Laver.

From the week he first rose to No1 in February 2004, he put together a run of 237 consecutive weeks—a full year and a half longer than the next man, Jimmy Connors’ streak of 160.

Federer’s return to No1 is very timely too. It means he will be the top seed as tennis returns to Wimbledon for the Olympics, setting another record: three Olympics as the No1 seed.

He will surely now hope for that last piece in the tennis jigsaw. Given his current form, the Wimbledon grass and 100 per cent fitness, this may well be Federer’s best chance to win the Olympic singles gold medal.

Not a bad way to celebrate his 31st birthday in three weeks’ time.

One door closes and another opens—to the very same sporting arena: the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

In the blink of an eye, the same tennis stars will be lighting up Wimbledon again: Roger Federer and Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanksa—this year’s Championship standouts—will regroup for their golden campaigns.

For in just two weeks’ time, with the grounds swathed in a garish pinky-purple in place of its sedate dark green, the men and women who thrilled on grass for a fortnight will start all over again, this time for Olympic glory.

Will they be able to match the achievements and records, the triumphs and disasters that filled Wimbledon fortnight?

Can Wimbledon’s 2012 titlists Williams and Federer convert their doubles gold to singles gold for the first time?

Will early fallers Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki turn the tables when it comes to the glitz and colour of medal combat?

Will Kim Clijsters, in her last tennis year, finally ride into the sunset as a champion from the place she never managed to win?

Here, as one Wimbledon door closes, are some of the key names, moments and records to whet the appetite as the Olympic door opens.

Wimbledon 2012’s key numbers

Most aces
Men—Philipp Kohlschreiber 98 (from five matches)
Women—Serena Williams 102 (all-time record and more than the next four women combined)

Fastest serve
Men—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 140 mph
Women—Sabine Lisicki & Serena Williams 120 mph

Bodies through the gates
484,805

Bananas eaten by the players
12,000

Tennis balls used
54,000

Peak audience
16.9 million UK viewers watched the men’s final, believed to be the highest figure for a Wimbledon final since Borg v McEnroe in 1980.

Digital data

Web: 16.9 million unique users to website
Mobile apps: 1.53 million downloads
Live@Wimbledon: Over 1 million streams
Facebook: 965,000 likes
Twitter: More than 320,000 followers

Ranking revelations

It was all change at the top: Federer reclaimed No1 after two years, Djokovic dropped to No2 exactly a year after he won the top spot.

Maria Sharapova’s residence at the top of the women’s table was very short-lived: She was overtaken by both Victoria Azarenka and, rising to a new ranking high of No2, Radwanska.

Camila Giorgi jumped 56 places to 89 with her run through qualifying into the fourth round.

Another qualifier, Brian Baker, rose 50 places to 76 after reaching the fourth round.

Kohlschreiber rose nine places to a career high of 21 after 11 years on the tour, while Feliciano Lopez fell 12 to 29 after a reaching a career high this season.

Britain’s Heather Watson went up 24 places to No79.

Bernard Tomic, in losing to wild card David Goffin, tumbled 17 places to 45, while Goffin continued his surge with another 11 places to No59: He started the year at 174.

Did you know?

Flirty at 30
As well as two 30-year-old champions in Federer and Williams, there were 15 other women and 33 other men—a Wimbledon record—playing in their fourth decade in the singles draws.

Hawk-Eye challenge success rate
Men made 428 challenges, 120 were correct—a 28.0% success rate
Women made 191 challenges, 49 were correct—a 25.7% success rate

The rain and the roof
The Centre Court roof was closed at some stage on 9 of 13 days, and the men’s singles final became the first to be played under the roof (from third set).

Golden set
Yaroslava Shvedova was the first player in the Open era to win a “golden set”, 24 points in a row, against Sara Errani.

Ticket resale donations to charity
Total income was a record £167,000 so, with HSBC match funding, £334,000 goes to charitable foundations.

Champions’ roll call

Men’s Singles—Roger Federer
Women’s Singles—Serena Williams
Men’s Doubles—Jonathan Marray & Frederik Nielsen
Women’s Doubles—Serena Williams & Venus Williams
Mixed Doubles—Mike Bryan & Lisa Raymond
Boys’ Singles—Filip Peliwo
Girls’ Singles—Eugenie Bouchard
Boys’ Doubles—Andrew Harris & Nick Kyrgios
Girls’ Doubles—Eugenie Bouchard & Taylor Townsend
Men’s Invitational Doubles—Greg Rusedski & Fabrice Santoro
Women’s Invitational Doubles—Lindsay Davenport & Martina Hingis
Men’s Senior Invitational Doubles—Pat Cash & Mark Woodforde
Men’s Wheelchair Doubles—Tom Egberink & Michael Jeremiasz
Women’s Wheelchair Doubles—Jiske Griffioen & Aniek Van Koot

The last time that Wimbledon hosted the Olympics was in 1908, but this time round, the tennis event will be one of the most high profile in its history. It all begins on Saturday 28 July.

Iron Federer in a velvet glove

Against Albert Ramos, a not-half-bad No43 in the world, Federer made playing the opening match of Round 1 on the slick, untouched grass of Court 1 look the easiest thing in the world.

He dropped only three games in the 80-minute trouncing yet made 33 winners—compared with 10 errors—and chased into the net 34 times to average more than one front-of-court winner per game.

Against No68 Fabio Fognini, it was more of the same: six games dropped in even less time, 74 minutes, and with still greater disparity between winners and errors, 35 to eight.

Mikhail Youzhny may have detained Federer for an hour and half, but the No26 seed, a former No8, still only won five games in their quarterfinal and was fortunate it was no worse: Federer only converted six out of 20 break point chances. No wonder the Russian appealed to Andre Agassi in the Royal Box for advice.

Warm-up close-up

First Wednesday, second match, and one of the few rain-free starts to the day. Federer’s habit is to have a gentle warm-up two to three hours before match time, and sure enough, scheduled to play at 1pm, he was gathering crowds at 10.30am. He happened, on this occasion, to be tuning up with fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka: two of the best single-handed backhands for the price of one.

It was the usual steady-paced session that commentators quote as the antithesis of Rafael Nadal’s sweat-on-the-court pre-match workout. For the real thing, though, check into a Federer session on a non-match day.

Practice makes perfect

The comparison is oft-repeated. While Nadal hits and runs and sweats his way through his long pre-match practice sessions—intense in action and in demeanour—Federer takes it easy, looks relaxed, apparently expending little.

The assertion is turned on its head on his off day between quarters and semis. Federer could be found hitting at full tilt, drilling first on his forehand, then on his backhand, against two opponents, pausing only to take on the odd comment from coach Paul Annacone. He also gave a taste of what it’s like to be a line-judge for those standing at the corner boundary of the court: a life-threatening location should one of his hitting partners not reach the ball.

Back-against-the-wall

Between the full-flowing, exhibition-style tennis of his three straight-set wins came challenges that showed Federer’s deep-seated desire to win, even when things are going less smoothly.

It so happened that fellow 30-year-old Julien Benneteau had some form against Federer. In their last meeting at the Paris Masters, he beat the Swiss in three sets after losing the first. So when the Swiss went two sets to love down in Wimbledon’s third round, alarm bells rang.

Federer may not have expected this against the No29 seed, but he had survived a similar situation against Juan Martin del Potro at Roland Garros the month before, and he would do it again here. His reaction to his predicament elicited one of the quotes of the tournament:

“Well, I was actually calm, to be quite honest…when I sat down, I said, alright, here we go now. Match has only just started…He’s still such a long a way from the finish line that there is no reason right now to go crazy. Let’s see how the third starts and then we’ll take it from there.”

The third went well, the fourth went 8-6 in a tie-breaker and Federer finally came through, but there had been fractions between them. Benneteau, though, hit the nail on the head: “Mentally he’s a rock.”

Back against Malisse

Fortitude of a different kind was required against his fourth-round opponent. Federer had not lost to Xavier Malisse since their first match 12 years before, but half way through the first set, Federer needed a medical time-out for only the second time in his career. His back, a recurring area of weakness, was hurting: cue another strength of the Federer game: tactics.

With no power in his forehand and struggling with his sideways movement, he used touch and placement rather than power and pace. He played sliced backhands, delicate drop shots, and rushed forward to finish rallies quickly at every opportunity. In fact, he lost just one of 26 net points in the concluding three sets. It was tennis full of craft and short on errors, with the extra fascination was seeing the cog-wheels kick into action in a problem-solving master-class.

Simply, the shoes

Was it prescient, the design of shirt and shoes for this year’s Wimbledon? Perhaps it was simply cheeky, but the discrete piping on Federer’s Nike polo picked out the green and purple of the All England Club’s branding while the Nike ‘swoosh’ on bandana and shorts used the green. His shoes referenced both colours: a green edge and a purple swoosh on an otherwise white shoe, both upper and sole.

But then came another cheeky reference on the right heel, one used since Federer won his fifth Wimbledon title: a small gold cup containing the number six.

Revenge for Paris and New York

Federer’s meeting with Djokovic in the semis was their 27th but their first on grass. The outcome could, a year to the day after Djokovic took over as world No1, give the top ranking back to Federer for the first time in more than two years.

While Federer had the edge in their head-to-head, 14-12, Djokovic had won six of the seven matches they had played since the beginning of 2011, and that included Roland Garros this year. There was no question, then, that their semi here carried huge significance, not least because Federer failed to convert match points after leading by two sets in New York.

This time his aggressive game plan and concerted focus—he made only 10 errors in four sets, and just one in the final set—took the win. Federer admitted that this time he was “in a good place mentally,” and added:

“I’ve worked extremely hard since I lost that match point against Novak last year at the US Open. My run has been extremely good. Now I have the chance at world No1 and the title again.”

The ‘Djokovic question’

It comes from years of experience, of course, but there can be few questions Federer has not heard, and possibly none that he has not answered. But his straightforward responses have sometimes been translated as criticisms or mind games, so now he is often prone to adding an extra assertion.

One of his most interesting responses—finished with just such an assertion—concerned his relationship with Djokovic: “I thought that was more brought up by you guys…you like to put something between the top players. I was just upset at him calling the trainer out for no obvious reason against my buddy, Stan [Wawrinka], in a five-setter. That was it. We had a quick chat about it and things are cool since a long time between me and him. I’ve always respected him. [I’ve] had many meetings with him at the council. He’s been nice to work with. I have no issues with him, and I hope you believe me.”

Murray moments

The relationship between Federer and Andy Murray has also been presented as tense, but the gestures and words surrounding their final confrontation must surely now allay such suggestions. There were few who did not share Murray’s tears and few who were not touched by Federer’s paternal hug after the Scot’s efforts at a speech.

Federer had words of support for him off court, too: “It’s hard…I think he’s done so, so well. Because I see him every day. I see him, what he goes through on a daily basis on tour. At Wimbledon I think he handles it so perfectly, to be quite honest. I think he’s giving himself so many looks at big titles…I really do believe deep down in me he will win Grand Slams, not just one. I do wish him all the best. This is genuine…I really do believe and hope he’s going to win one soon.”

And talking of winning…

Who knows which was the sweetest? The seventh Wimbledon title? Reclaiming of the No1 ranking for the first time in more than two years and, inevitably next week, the record for most weeks at the top? The record-extending 17th Major, his first since January 2010, and won against a growing rumble of doubt about his chances over the longer Grand Slam format?

Add into the mix that Federer is one month short of his 31st birthday—the second-oldest man to reach No1 behind Andre Agassi—and a father of twins—“just to be able to juggle everything together has been a challenge”—and his achievements look better still.

No wonder this is one contented man who now happens to go to the Olympics as the top seed: “I’m so happy I’m at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there’s still more possible. You know, to enjoy it right now, it’s very different than when I was 20 or 25. I’m at a much more stable place in my life. I wouldn’t want anything to change.”

Within the tennis-passionate atmosphere of Wimbledon’s Centre Court, it was a fair bet that every one of the 15,000 lucky enough to have a seat knew what was on the line.

It was also a fair bet that their heads and hearts would be split between the two men who would play their part in one of the most highly-anticipated men’s finals of recent times.

On one side, Andy Murray carried the hopes of a nation starved of a champion here since the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977—when Virginia Wade won the women’s title—and starved of a men’s champion since Fred Perry won in 1936. Indeed the cradle of tennis had not celebrated a men’s singles champion in any Grand Slam since 1936.

Already Murray had broken the ‘final’ jinx by reaching the Championship match, the first man since 1938 to do so. He had done it, by happy coincidence, in another “Royal” year, the Diamond Jubilee.

And all the while, Olympic preparations reached their climax: In three weeks’ time, the top players in the world would reconvene on the hallowed Wimbledon turf for a near-unique event.

So special was this moment, though, so pregnant with expectation, that both Westminster and Royalty were here: The Prime Minister and the London Mayor, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Next to David Cameron sat the First Minister of Scotland and the Scottish flag fluttered alongside the flag of the UK over Downing Street.

Tennis royalty was also here in the shape of Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Frank Sedgman—and the man on the other side of the net from Murray himself.

For there was Roger Federer, a man Murray himself called “one of the greatest ever.”

The superlative Swiss already had records—at 16, the most Grand Slam titles, at eight the most Wimbledon finals, at 24 the most Grand Slam finals—and by reaching the final this week, he ensured he had reached at least one Major final every year for the last 10 years.

Already with the longest streak of consecutive weeks at No1, he needed only to win a record-equalling seventh title here to take the outright record from Pete Sampras.

What Murray had in his favour, apart from home support on home turf, was that he was one of a small band of men to have a head-to-head advantage over Federer. What wasn’t in his favour was their Grand Slam record—both matches, both finals, had both been straight sets defeats.

There was certainly every sign that a Scottish independent wanted to challenge royalty in the opening game: a very swift attacking break of serve to Murray followed by a hold to lead 2-0. It looked as though Federer was initially thrown by the pace and aggression of Murray but he came back quickly to hold and then break.

Murray did not let up, playing with depth and variety, running everything down. Federer found himself fending off fierce forehands with a couple of big volleys but still faced deuce again. He held, but only the best serve and smashing from Federer could hold off the attacking Scot. The tennis was physical and fast with many long rallies. The eighth was typical and key, lasting 11 minutes and through countless deuces.

Murray held, and it proved to be a huge confidence booster. With the match approaching an hour, he renewed the attack on Federer, literally, aiming a ball at the net-rushing Swiss. Federer ducked, the ball landed in and Murray had two break points. A non-plussed Federer fired a forehand into the net to lose his serve while Murray held his own with a 130mph ace. He had the set 6-4 in a dominant performance that produced only five errors.

In the second set, Federer opened with an imposing love service game but, from then on, Federer had to work harder and harder for every serve. He rushed the net whenever possible but more often than not had to put away two or three smashes before Murray stopped running.

Federer continued to hold, but under constant pressure and facing break points in the 11th. His face was set and he refused to give any ground, and he finally saw his moment.

A delight of a drop shot drew a lob from Murray that flew just long to give Federer a precious break point. He won a long, tactically-brilliant rally with a backhand drop volley that even Murray could not track down and the set was his, 7-5. Only two points out of 78 separated them, but this time, unlike the first set, Federer had twice as many winners as errors and had attacked the net no fewer than 42 times.

These were danger times for Murray: Federer had a steely look and served seven straight points on his serve at the start of the third, but help was on its way. The charcoal clouds that had loomed over Centre Court broke into a downpour and play was suspended, but it did not bother Federer. He returned to make quick work of his serve with a big forehand.

Having withstood the Murray storm, Federer now looked the more relaxed player, moving freely to the net and staying with Murray from the baseline as well. Serving in the fifth, Murray took a heavy fall when rushing to retrieve a drop shot to bring up deuce. Then he lunged vainly to reach a forehand down the line but failed. It brought up the first of several break points in a decisive game that lasted more than 20 minutes.

Murray did little wrong, but Federer was now playing at his peak. He put a lob onto the baseline, leaving Murray sprawled on the ground again, and made a leaping forehand winner to take a 4-2 lead and, ultimately, the set, 6-3.

With the clock at three hours, it did not take Federer long to impose himself on the fourth set, creating topspun and sliced backhand winners at will. He broke in the fifth and, despite the surging chants of “Andy, Andy”, he served out the match, 6-4. In the final set alone, he hit 17 winners and won 12 of 13 net points.

It was classic, classy, champion-style stuff, but the man who will be 31 next month fell to ground as though this was his first title on grass rather than his seventh.

And as expected, there were tears elsewhere, too. Murray tried in vain to thank the crowd and his family, tried to congratulate Federer, gave up. His conqueror gave him an understanding hug: He pointed out afterwards that he had been there himself.

But no-one else has been where Federer is now: Top of the pile again, from tomorrow, for his 286th week though, as his low-key session with the press afterwards confirmed, he’s not thinking about that yet:

“Honestly, this one hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I guess I was trying to be so focused in the moment itself that when it all happened I was just so happy that it was all over and that the pressure was gone. There was so much on the line, so I didn’t try to think of the world No1 ranking or the seventh or the 17th. I think it’s going to take much longer to understand what I was able to achieve today.”

But he must surely now have in his sights on a first singles gold medal, back here, in a month’s time.

And Murray, though he admitted he won’t be back on a tennis court next week, will also return to renew his challenge. And he will get still more support, and deservedly so, from a home crowd who, though disappointed, can be hugely proud of their man.

Andy Murray’s hopes of winning his first Grand Slam were dashed by Roger Federer after the Swiss maestro came from a set down to prevail 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 and claim his seventh Wimbledon title.

The British No1’s efforts saw him win many new supporters on Twitter, with Murray receiving the plaudits for his valiant effort against the 17-time Major winner.

Here is a selection of our favourites Tweets from during the final, in chronological order.

First set

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland ‏(@mattholland8) states the obvious: “This is going to be a nerve wracking afternoon! #murrayvfederer”

While Tom Huddlestone (‏@TomHuddlestone6) is hoping for Federer to upset the home support: “I ain’t anti-Murray – just very pro-Federer!”

Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris ‏(@morriskid) says why he will support Scotland’s Murray: “Murray not wanting England to win doesn’t bother me. Fulham hate Chelsea but most Chelsea fans have a soft spot for Fulham.#myanalogy”

Nick Mastrini ‏(@nickmastrini) is impressed by Murray’s electric start: “This game is absolutely incredible, Murray’s turned up but Federer’s staying in there.”

While Rachel Taylor ‏(@raychultay) gives some advice in a tense first set: “Come on #Murray- don’t you know not to challenge #Federer at the net?! He’s a stallion when it comes to his short game.”

Norwich City’s Elliott Bennett ‏(@Ebenno88) hails the British No1′s start: “Great first set so far. Murray seems to be in control of his nerves but Federer is a joke! Some of his shots are frightening.”

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson ‏(@matt9dawson) loves Murray’s coach: “How awesome is Ivan Lendl. Cool as my fridge!!!!”

Second set

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton (‏@Joey7Barton) gets a bit carried away: “What is better – Murray wins Wimbledon or Bradley Wiggins wins the Tour de France? Or both?”

And Michelle C ‏(@ChelleFC) thinks it’s time Federer gave someone else a chance: “It would be nice to see Murray beat Federer today at Wimbledon. Federer has enough wins, let someone else have their fun.”

Manoj Sinha ‏(@mksinha31) reckons Murray’s almost there: “Federer has already lost 1st Set, and in 2nd is leading 3-2. Murray is in full fire, doubt Federer can stop him making history.”

While world No78 Anne Keothavong ‏(@annekeothavong) is getting up a bit late – but witnesses a great point: “Woke up, switched the TV on and first point I see is Federer’s ridiculous drop volley on set point. Come on Andy!!!!”

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley ‏(@tomclevz23) is impressed as Federer weathers Murray’s storm and wins the second set: “Federer at his absolute best!”

Third set

Audrey Lewis (‏@Audj_Podj) has a dilemma: “I really want Murray to win a tournament, but I just can’t cheer against Federer. I want them both to win!”

Celebrity Piers Morgan ‏(@piersmorgan) reckons the break to put the roof on Centre Court will work in Murray’s favour: “Good time for #Murray to have a rain break. Needs to re-focus.”

England legend Gary Lineker ‏(@GaryLineker) sees even more history for Murray to make: “Come on Andy Murray, not even Fred Perry won Wimbledon with the roof on.”

However, Steven Tajer (@TargetFixation) can sense a momentum shift: “Trying to will Murray on but it almost feels as if it’s Federer’s day. He just looks better right now.”

While Ganesh NJ ‏(@GaneshNJ) feels Federer is in his groove: “Fantastic game by Federer – after so many years Federer is hitting hard like he used to! #federer #wimbledon”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (‏@rioferdy5) is amazed by a lengthy game in the third set: “What a game so far, @andy_murray + Federer both showing pure class! The ball boys/girls enthusiasm to retrieve balls is #Ridiculous!”

Michael Field ‏(@tiptonmicko) asks the question on everyone’s lips: “Federer in the zone. Has Murray got the mental strength to sort this one out?”

James Atkins ‏(@jamesatkins14) sees Federer testing Murray’s agility: “Federer has swag! Murray has fallen over three times, Federer is hardly running!”

Peter Redman ‏(@redmanpe) considers Federer to be the greatest of all time: “Undoubtedly watching the best tennis player ever right now. And Murray is going toe to toe. Great match.”

Fourth set

Danielle Adams ‏(@danielle91072) struggles to see Murray winning this: “Murray is playing some great tennis, but Federer at the moment is awesome. #wimbledon”

Norwich City’s Elliott Bennett ‏(@Ebenno88) reacts after Federer breaks Murray: “That’s why he is the best ever to play on grass ‘in my opinion’ – Murray has been good but Federer is simply THE BEST!”

A parody account for the Queen ‏(@Queen_UK) comes up with a solution for Murray: “Dear Home Office, how quickly can one have Roger Federer deported? Regards, The Queen.”

Game, set and match

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott ‏(@JoleonLescott) is disappointed: “I wanted Andy Murray to be the first Brit for so long to win it but there is no better man in tennis to lose to. #FedEx = #Greatest of all time.”

Leicester City striker David Nugent (‏@nuge101235) gets emotional: “Who filled up then at Murray’s speech? Haha.”

While Graham Spiers (‏@GrahamSpiers) reckons Murray has finally united the British in their support for the world No4: “In five emotional, wobbly minutes with a microphone Andy Murray sweeps aside every myth ever written about his character. A great Scot.”

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan (‏@VaughanCricket) pays tribute to Murray: “Respect Andy…. Nothing wrong with shedding a few tears on TV….”

France striker Louis Saha ‏(@louissaha08) loves sport: “There is way too much pressure on Andy Murray to win this. Great support. Sport is the best after children for emotions. LOVE it.”

Finally, television presenter Eamonn Holmes ‏(@EamonnHolmes) comforts Murray: “As it turns out, with that speech, Andy Murray today has won more than any Wimbledon title is worth. He has won the hearts of the country.”

It’s on days like this that you wonder how the two men at the centre of the whirlwind slept.

The tension, the anticipation and the expectation have been building since day one.

By the end of week one, with Andy Murray safely through some early dangerous opponents and with Rafael Nadal sent packing by an outsider, the sub-editors were hard at work competing for headlines.

Murray-mania was underway, but now there was also the quiet well-oiled sound of some Swiss engineering promising to make some headlines: Roger Federer was gearing up for some history of his own.

After a close call in the third round, coming back from two sets down, and overcoming a back problem in the fourth, the five-time champion surged through the quarters.

Come semi-final day, and the records that lay on the line for both men were being measured, counted and compared should the two find themselves competing for the title. Both were asked about pressure, about the importance of their potential achievements, about their next opponents, and about each other.

And with both saving their best for last—Murray digging deep with impressive calm and confidence against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Federer beating defending champion Novak Djokovic with more ease than expected—the dream final was set.

For Murray, the flag of Scotland will flutter over Downing Street alongside the British one. The population of his small home town of Dunblane, totalling around half the number who will watch inside Wimbledon’s Centre Court, will gather around communal screens to cheer on their quiet hero. And the hundreds who have queued in the rain simply to sit on ‘Murray Mount’ will generate an atmosphere at the All England Club that may not have seen since Virginia Wade won here in 1977, in Wimbledon’s centenary year and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year.

Perhaps the atmosphere will top even that. For Murray is aiming to become the first man to win the singles title here since Fred Perry in 1936, indeed the first British male to win a Grand Slam singles title since Perry won the US Open in that same year. And Murray’s campaign has dovetailed in the most pleasing way with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 London Olympics.

And for Federer, there is the small matter of attempting to regain the No1 ranking if he wins a record-equalling seventh singles title. On both counts, the name of one of his heroes looms large. Pete Sampras leads Federer by just one week in holding the No1 ranking for 285 weeks. Sampras, along with Williams Renshaw, also tops the list of most singles Wimbledon titles. Federer is already the first player to reach eight Wimbledon singles finals since they abolished the Challenge Round in 1922. And now, already with a record 16 Major men’s titles, he could equal the Sampras and Renshaw seven.

Both Murray and Federer, from such a perspective, have remained remarkably calm—on the outside at least. They have answered the questions temperately, carried the pressure gracefully, but both seemed destined to shed more than a few tears when one of them makes history.

Murray:
“It’s a great challenge. I’m probably not expected to win the final but if I play well I’m capable of winning it. Federer’s record here over the past 10 years has been incredible, so there is less pressure on me because of who he is…He’s obviously one of the greatest ever. The possibility of beating Roger is obviously something very nice but I can’t allow myself to think that far ahead.”

Federer:
“I have a lot of pressure, as well. I’m looking forward to that. I’ve worked extremely hard since I lost that match point against Novak last year at the US Open. My run has been extremely good. Now I have a chance at world No1, at the title again all at once. It’s a big match for me and I hope I can keep my nerves. I’m sure I can. Then hopefully win the match.”

Murray:
“Roger lost a couple matches from a couple sets up the last few years. So whereas in the past you might have thought going two sets down it was impossible, there’s still time to come back. But ideally you want to try to get off to a good start. That would make a big difference, I’m sure. I just need to try and make sure I play a perfect match on Sunday.”

Federer:
“People here should be happy that [Murray’s] such a great player and he’s only going to get better as time goes by. I love it that I’m going to be playing him. I always say in whatever country I am I like to play the local hero, and Andy is exactly that here at Wimbledon…I hope I have some crowd support, but it’s not the most important thing right now.”

Murray:
“I hope that all of the crowd is with me. It’s been great so far, they’ve helped me out through some tough moments the last couple of matches, and I’ll definitely need it again.”

Federer:
“I’m very proud to have a shot of equalling Pete. Everybody knows what a hero he is to me and how much I admire what he’s been able to achieve in tennis.”