Federer waged another five-set marathon yesterday, and left as the holder of the most prestigious record in tennis. This time, the winner's trophy belonged to him, his reputation enhanced as perhaps the greatest player in history.

Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in match that went to 30 games in the final set. Federer served a career-high 50 aces and overcame the resilient American 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 to break the record of major titles he had shared with Pete Sampras.

"I'm happy I broke the record here because this is always the tournament that meant the most to me," Federer said. "It definitely feels like coming full circle, starting it here and ending it here."

The match ended after 4 hours, 16 minutes when Federer broke for the first time all day, with Roddick missing on a forehand. He jumped in celebration, punched the air and whacked the net with his racket. Roddick tossed his racket to the side, and the two men shared a hug at the net.

Watching from the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California, his first appearance at the All England Club since playing this tournament for the last time in 2002. Also on hand were Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg.

"It's not really one of those goals you set as a little boy, but man, it's been quite a career and quite a month," said Federer, who saved four set points in the second-set tiebreaker to avoid falling behind 2-0 in sets. "It feels amazing, but this is not why I'm playing tennis to break all sort of different records. But it's definitely one of the greatest ones to have."

Turning to Sampras, Federer said: "Thanks very much for coming. I know it's a long way, but you're a member, man, we like to see you here. It's such a pleasure to play in front of such greats legends."

Roddick said: "Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off."

Federer is the third player to win six Wimbledon championships; Sampras and William Renshaw each won seven.

"I have to give it to him," Sampras said. "The critics say Laver, and [Rafael] Nadal has beaten him a few times at majors. He's won all the majors, he's won 15 now, he's going to win a few more here. So in my book . . . he's a legend, an icon."

It was the longest men's Grand Slam final in history at 77 games, breaking the previous record of 71 in 1927 in Australia. It was also the longest fifth set in a men's Grand Slam final, surpassing the 20 games played in France in 1927.

The fifth set went back-and-forth. Roddick saved one break point in the second game, and Federer erased two at 8-8 when he came up with two big serves when 15-40 down.

Finally, in the 30th game, with Federer ahead 15-14, Roddick blinked. On the second deuce, he misplayed a forehand to give Federer a chance. On match point, Roddick shanked a forehand. Until then, Federer had been 0-6 on break points.

"This year is crazy," Federer said. "Things didn't look so good when I lost in the final of the Australian Open, which was still just an unbelievable result. But to come through and battle back and win Paris and now Wimbledon back-to-back, something Bjorn did a couple of times, it's amazing."

Serena tops Venus

However, a French Open title and a chance at a true Grand Slam has eluded her.

"I'm really disappointed because I think this is the year I could have done it," Serena said yesterday. "I honestly had the biggest chance to win all four than I've ever had in my career."

Over the last five Grand Slam tournaments, Serena has a 31-2 record. Her only setbacks were a straight-set loss to Venus in last year's Wimbledon final, and a three-set loss to eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the French Open quarterfinals.

What she can still do is repeat her feat of winning all four majors in succession, which she did in 2003 when she completed her "Serena Slam."

"My goal now is win, to keep winning until I get to the French and win the French and then I'll just have another 'Serena Slam,' '' the 27-year-old said. "I'm having a lot of fun now, more fun. I don't play unless I'm really enjoying myself. There's nothing like doing something that you love so much." *