Roger Federer became the first man to win 15 Grand Slam titles with his Wimbledon victory on Sunday. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)Roger Federer regained his status as the men's No. 1 tennis player on the ATP rankings on Monday.
Federer supplanted Rafael Nadal after defeating American Andy Roddick in an epic five-set match during the Wimbledon final Sunday.
The match included a 16-14 marathon fifth set — the longest in Grand Slam history.
The Swiss great became the only man to with 15 Grand Slam titles, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Pete Sampras.
"It's fantastic, because definitely, when you lose No. 1, you never know if you're ever going to return to it," Federer said Monday at the All England Club. "I always thought it was easier staying No. 1 than getting there."
Nadal, who falls to No. 2 in the rankings, defeated Federer in another Wimbledon classic last year, and officially overtook him as the No. 1 player in August 2008.
He also snapped Federer's record of 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1, a streak that began with a victory at the Australian Open in 2004.
"Once I was No. 1, everything just clicked, and everything was easy," Federer said. "I beat all the other Top 10 guys, I won every final I played, and so I hope that's going to return again, that I'm able also to dominate my fellow rivals again and go from there. I'm delighted, of course, I'm No. 1 again."
Nadal couldn't defend his Wimbledon crown, pulling out prior to the start of the tournament because of sore knees.
With files from The Associated Press
