Reuters
 
London, Jul 9: Roger Federer arrived at Wimbledon on Sunday in his stylish cream suit and walked away wearing the mantle of sporting greatness.

By burying second seed Rafael Nadal in a nerve-jangling 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 thriller, the world number one took his place alongside Bjorn Borg as the only men to have won five successive titles the All England Club in the professional era.

After a three hour 45 minute duel of high drama, Federer sank a smash on match point and collapsed on the turf weeping.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he covered his face. Once he managed to drag himself to his feet, he raised his arms to the skies to acknowledge the deafening cheers.

Among the 14,000 fans lucky enough to witness the mesmerizing battle was a beaming Borg, who won from 1976 to 1980, in the front row of the royal box.

"Each one is special. To play a champion like Rafa in the final it means even more and equalling Bjorn as well," the Swiss said.

"He (Nadal) is a fantastic player and is going to be around for so much longer so I am happy with every one I get now before he takes them all."

"It was such a close match, I told Rafa at the net 'you deserved it as well' but I was the lucky one today," added Federer, who had slipped back into his suit for the presentation ceremony.