WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer hoisted the trophy and celebrated making Grand Slam history, a year removed from an epic five-set final when he left Wimbledon a broken man.

Federer waged another five-set marathon yesterday, and left as the holder of the most prestigious record in tennis.

The Swiss superstar won his record 15th Grand Slam title, outlasting Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a 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 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 finally ended after 4 hours, 16 minutes when Federer broke for the first time all day, with Roddick missing on a forehand.

Federer jumped high 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 Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

"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 great 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.

Sampras considers Federer the greatest ever.

"I have to give it to him," he said. "The critics say [Rod] 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 is."

"He's a stud," Sampras added. "He's only 27. He'll contend here for many years, and the U.S. Open, and all the majors. If he just keeps it going and stays healthy, he could go to 18, 19, potentially."

Federer reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Nadal, who who beat him in the classic 2008 final that finished in near darkness at 9-7 in the fifth. The Spaniard missed this year's tournament because of knee problems.

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

The fifth set went back and forth, with the players slugging huge serves at each other, offering few chances to break. 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.

"I was just trying to survive each time and hold serve and give myself a shot," Roddick said. "It didn't work out, but I definitely gave myself a look."

The statistics were eye-catching: Federer's 50 aces were one short of the Wimbledon record held by Ivo Karlovic. Federer had an incredible total of 107 winners, compared with 38 unforced errors. Roddick had 27 aces, 74 winners, and 33 unforced mistakes.