Fendrich on Tennis: Years later, Roger Federer still on top

Used to be that Roger Federer simply could not win a match, let alone a championship, at major tournaments.

That might be hard to imagine now that Federer owns 20 Grand Slam trophies. But you can look it up: He lost in the first round on three of his first four trips to Wimbledon, and three of his first five appearances at the French Open.

So let's recall what Federer said at the All England Club on the day he collected his very first Grand Slam title, all the way back in July 2003.

"I hope," Federer said, "it's not going to be my last."

Seems silly nowadays, doesn't it?

Because there he was, nearly 15 full years later, tears dotting his cheeks as he spoke to an adoring Australian Open crowd after beating 2014 U.S.