Stars flock to witness tennis history

The prospect of seeing sporting history at Wimbledon drew past winners and sporting, political and showbusiness luminaries to centre court yesterday.

As Roger Federer took his 15th Grand Slam title - more than any other player - Gladiator star Russell Crowe chatted with designer Ralph Lauren in the stands, and film director Woody Allen watched with wife Soon-Yi.

Former Grand Slam record holder Pete Sampras, whose total Federer beat, returned to Wimbledon for the first time since his last match seven years ago, standing and applauding as Federer scored his sixth Wimbledon victory.

Sampras was joined in the royal box by four-times winner Rod Laver, five-times winner Bjorn Borg and 1966 winner Manuel Santana.

Other former winners John McEnroe and Boris Becker were in the commentary booths.

At the post-match ceremony, beaten finalist Andy Roddick turned to Sampras and said: "Sorry, Pete, I tried to hold him off."

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger sported a floppy hat in the scorching weather - 2000 spectators sought treatment after being affected by heat during the tournament.

The crowd of 15,000 was littered with record holders in other sports. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar watched a spectacle befitting of its audience. Federer beat Roddick 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 after a final set lasting 4 hours and 18 minutes.