The fourth time’s a charm for Roger Federer at the Parisian claycourts where he clinched his record-tying 14th Grand Slam title after beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling at the Roland Garros 2009 final. The score: 6-1, 7-6, 6-4.
Federer had been the tournament runner-up for the past three years, all those times losing to world number one Rafael Nadal.
“This is the most satisfying win of my life, along with my first Wimbledon,” the Swiss star said.
“I have tried for so many years, so there was much pressure involved. I always believed in it but it becomes harder with time,” he added.
The French Open 2009 win means that Federer is now tied with Pete Sampras in terms of Grand Slam singles haul. Aside from that, the Swiss world number two also completed a rare career Grand Slam win (where a player wins at least one trophy from each of the major tournaments – Australian, French, US Opens and Wimbledon). The victory virtually assured Federer’s inclusion in the year-end ATP World Tour Finals in London.
“I just think it’s an unbelievable achievement. I’m very proud of my career, obviously. I achieved more than I ever thought I would. My dream as boy was to win Wimbledon one day. I won that five times. To get it (French Open) at the end as the last remaining Grand Slam, it’s an incredible feeling. The waiting and the age definitely has a big impact on how important and how nice this victory actually is. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m happy I got it today. I’m very proud,” Federer said after winning the elusive career Grand Slam.
Despite the loss, Soderling will now be remembered as the first player to have handed four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal his first defeat at the Roland Garros. To prove that his victory at the fourth round was no fluke, Soderling displayed fantastic tennis in the next two matches, beating Nikolay Davydenko (quarters) and Fernando Gonzalez (semifinals). His ranking is expected to jump several places next week.
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