The Swiss great, contesting his eighth final at the All England Club, flirted with danger in the second set after losing the first but just when Murray looked like ending 76 years of plucky British failure Federer gave a stunning reminder of his genius to win 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court.
When a Murray forehand looped narrowly wide after three hours 24 minutes of enthralling action, Federer dropped to the turf in joy, just as he did in 2003 when he beat Australia’s Mark Philippoussis to begin a grand slam collection that now stands at 17.
For the second time in three grand slam finals against Murray he reduced the Scot to tears, although this match, unlike the others, was a contest to savour.
It was only after Centre Court’s translucent lid was slid across after heavy rain began to fall in the heart of the final that Federer took charge, striding to the win that puts him level with Pete Sampras’s record of seven Wimbledon crowns.
At 30 years and 335 days he also became the oldest men’s champion since Arthur Ashe in 1975 and, to put the icing on the cake, today’s ATP rankings will show him back at No. 1 for the first time in two years and he will equal Sampras’s record of 286 weeks at the summit.
“I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of matches,” Federer said after raising the trophy with his wife Mirka and giggling twin daughters Charlene Riva and Myla Rose watching on from the players’ box.
“I’ve missed playing in the finals, and it feels like a great moment. I’ve gone through some struggles, so this one comes at the right time,” added Federer, whose last grand slam title was at the 2010 Australian Open.
For Murray, his girlfriend Kim Sears and many of the thousands watching the huge screen on Henman Hill under a forest of multi-coloured umbrellas, there was just despair.
“I’m getting closer,” Murray, whose valiant effort was watched by Royal Box guests Prime Minister David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William’s wife Kate Middleton, choked as applause rang out.
“I was told after my semi-final that this was my best chance, Roger’s 30 now, but he’s not bad for a 30-year-old, he played a great tournament. Congratulations, you deserve it.”
While Federer basked in the glow of another major title, Murray was left to contemplate equalling coach Ivan Lendl’s unwanted record of losing his first four grand slam finals.
