Federer clinches his seventh Wimbledon title as Murray wilts under the roof (2025)

Stay with us today for live coverage of Wimbledon in our rolling blog as we bring you all the news from the men’s final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer

‏@NeilHarmanTimes Tweets 6.45pm ‘The trophy feels like it’s never left me’, says The Fed. Gracious and utterly content’

6.30pm The victory, Federer’s seventh at Wimbledon, also secures his return to the top of the ATP World rankings. On congratulating Murray, Federer said: “He’s done so well this year, he has been so consistent. He will win at least one Grand Slam. That’s what I wish for Andy.”
After securing his record-equalling seventh Wimbledon crown and his first for three years, Federer said: “I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of games and I couldn’t be more happy. It’s a great moment and feels like I’ve never been away.”

6.25pm Murray holds back the tears as he takes the microphone to address Centre Court. “I’m going to try this and it’s not going to be easy,” said the Scot.
“I’m getting closer (to winning the title), but I have to congatulate Roger. I kept getting asked the other day if this was my best chance as Roger is now 30. He’s not bad for 30 is he?”
Murray added: “He played a great match and a great tournament and showed tremendous spirit. Congratulations to Roger, he deserves it.”
In thanking his supporters, Murray said: “Everybody talks about the pressure of me playing Wimbledon, but the people watching have made it so much easier to play. You’ve been incredible, thank you.”

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 *6 - 4 Federer proves imperious. The Swiss ace holds serve to take the Wimbledon title after Murray hits his forehand cross-court pass over the baseline. Murray suffers his fourth Grand Slam title.

‏@NeilHarmanTimes Tweets: The Fed will serve for his 17th grand slam title. There may be little more that needs to be said.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 5 - *4 Murray is twice taken to deuce, but holds serve. However, Federer will serve for the Championship.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 *5 - 3 Federer moves to the brink of the title and, for the first time, Murray appears deflated.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 4 - *3 Murray shows his resolve by holding serve but Federer is still holding all the aces.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 4* - 2 Murray hits long from the baseline to miss a golden opportunity to pass with Federer, positioned at the net. Murray’s title dreams appears to be slipping fast.

‏@NeilHarmanTimes Tweets: An absolutely majestic backhand cross-court winner brings leap and bounce from The Fed. Breaks to lead 3-2 in 4th. Anything left for Andy?

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 3 - *2 Federer’s stunning top-spin backhand across the court leaves Murray leaden-footed and breaks the Scot’s serve.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 *1 - *2 Federer’s sublime and heavily disguised sliding winner down the line wrong-foots Murray to wrap up a quick game win.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 1 - *2 Murray double faults for the first time, but also sends down his 13th ace of the final to take the third game to 30.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 *1 - 1 Murray misses a break point against Federer, who then powers a forehand down the line to level the set.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 6 - 3 0 - *1 Murray must now dig deep, both phisically and psychologically and test his new found depths of stamina - the legacy of his winter training camp, or so we’re told. The Scot holds the first game of the fourth set.

‏@NeilHarmanTimes Tweets at 5.35pm Murray will have to go five. That was my prophesy. Will it come true? Trails two sets to one.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 *6 - 3 Federer’s forehand is beginning to reach parts of the court that even the athletic Murray cannot reach. The Swiss master is moving into overdrive and has now won 88 per cent of first serve points. He deservedly leads 2-1.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 5 - *3 Murray holds to 30, but Federer again makes the Scot work hard for every point.

4.25pm The Times roving reporter Ruth Maclean says: ‘Forget English cream teas, on Murray Mount it’s strawberries and Irn-Bru in their hero’s honour’.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 *5 - 2 Federer’s placement, especially on the forehand, is sublime. He opens a deserved lead in the third set.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 4 - *2 Murray, after twice falling heavily at the net after slipping on the greasy surface and being taken to duece 10 times, loses the sixth break point on his serve and with it a mammoth and potentially pivotal game. It was the longest of the match to date at 20 minutes.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 *3 - 2 Federer shows all his experience. The first serve works like clockwork and he hits back to edge

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 2 - *2 Murray puts the distractions of rain and supporters re-taking their seats to the back of his mind th waltz through the fourth game and level the set.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 *2 - 1 Federera duly wins the first point after the resumption to edge 2-1 ahead in the third set. The heavy rain is thudding down onto the retractable roof to provide an unusual backing soundtrack to the men’s singles final.

4.54pm The roof is in place and the final resumes at Wimbledon with the final locked at one set all.

4.25pm The roof over Centre Court is being closed, so play will be suspended for a further 20 minutes. Which player will respond best after the re-start and which of the finalists will take to playing the remainder of the showpiece ‘indoors’?

4.20pm Murray needs to use the downtime due to rain to regather his thoughts and maybe re-consider strategy. For the first time in the match Federer has started to dictate terms with some sublime serve and volley tennis.

4.14pm Play is suspended for rain with Murray love 40 down in the third game of set three. The players head for the dressing room, while we await news from the referee’s office as to whether the roof will be closed.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 1 - *1 Nine minutes into the third set and two hours into the final and Murray holds with comfort.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - 5 *1 - 0 Federer holds his serve to open the third set, but the ground staff appear on edge. Rain could well be on the way.

@patrick_kidd. Tweets 4.06pm: Marvellous touch by Federer, winning second set with a sublime drop-volley after 20-stroke rally. Looking ominous...

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 7 - *5 Federer shows his class for the first time in the match with two stunning final points to steal the game and with them, the second set. The Swiss master timed his approach to the net with alcrity to take the game with a sliced drop shot that left Murray for dead.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *6 - 5 Murray pushes hard yet again, but Federer just about holds on. Dark clouds are looming again in SW19.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 5 - *5 Henman shakes off his displeasure and holds serve comfortably. He continues to move Federer around the court. It’s strength-sapping stuff for the Swiss ace.

3.50pm BarryFlatman@SundayTimes Tweets: Murray 0 of 4 on break point opportunities in 2nd set. I do so hope that is a statistic that doesn’t live to haunt him.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *5 - 4 Murray misses out on two break points allowing Federer to hold the ninth game. Murray’s lobs are falling in mid-court at best, allowing Federer comfortable overhead returns.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 4 - *4 All square again in set two. Which of the finalists will make the first move?

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *4 - 3 Federer takes full advantage of the crips and cool new balls and duly holds to love to keep his Swiss nose ahead in the second set. A tactical change may be too, with Federer seemingly coming into the net more frequently.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 3 - *3 Superb service game from Murray as the Scot holds to love to heap pressure back on the Federer serve. The Swiss has the advantage of new balls however.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *3 - 2 Murray throws up four lobs during the game and earns two break points, but Federer keeps smashing, holds his nerve and takes the fifth game of set two.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *2 - 2 Murray unfurls a stunning drop shot and, for the first time today Federer appears to be playing catch up tennis as Murray gives him the run around.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 2 - *2 Not to be outdone, Murray follows suit and levels the second set at the canter.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *2 - 1 Federer hardly breaks sweat in holding his serve to 15.

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 1 - *1 Federer appears to have slipped up a gear. He pushes Murray to deuce, but the Scotsman shows his mettle again to hold serve

Federer v Murray 4 - 6 *1 - 0 Federer, the consummate professional, bounces back by taking the first game of the second set.

@patrick_kidd. A John Cleese quote from Clockwise is appropriate here: “It’s not the despair. I can take the despair. It’s the hope I can’t stand.” Even if it all goes wrong now, Murray is the first Brit to win the opening set of a men’s Wimbledon final at Wimbledon since 1936.

3.15pm Huge smiles from the Duchess and Pippa, reports Ruth Maclean, as Murray wins the set, cheers from the Mount and then a great muttering. Everyone’s trying to predict what will happen next.

‏@NeilHarmanTimesTweets 3.13pm: I think Andy has tweaked The Fed’s tail. That was some hold, in about 2 minutes

Federer v Murray 4 - *6 Murray holds his serve and duly takes the first set. History is already made as Murray now has that first Grand Slam set under his belt.

3.05pm Our roving Times reporter Ruth Maclean reports: Wimbledon stewards are slapping on the emergency suncream. The grass is steaming. Murray Mount is a sea of sunglasses - it’s boiling hot. The fans are a little subdued, seeming to prefer shouting to clapping today. Perhaps the sudden heat has got to them. Except, of course, when they see themselves on the big screen - then they go wild.

Federer v Murray *4 - 5 Murray proves his mettle by breaking Federer for the second time in the final. Should he hold his serve he will secure his first set victory in a Gand Slam final.

Federer v Murray 4 - *4 Murray has used up all his challenges but at least he held hgis serve in the longest game of the match to date, The eighth game took just about 15 minutes.

@patrick_kidd 2.50pm @PatrickKiddTimes tweets: ITV follows Murder She Wrote with Colombo. You have to admit they’re doing their damnedest to take viewers away from the tennis on BBC today.

Federer v Murray *4 - 3 Federer holds with equal comfort.

Federer v Murray 3 - *3 Murray holds comfortably to even up the first set and still the sunshine holds on Centre Court.

2.45pm From Murray Mount, Times reporter Ruth Maclean says: the crowds ooh and aah every time the ball goes over the net. They clutch their heads as Murray just loses the fifth game.

Federer v Murray *3 -2 Federer holds and edges in front for the first time in the final, but we are still on serve.

Federer v Murray *2 - 2 We’re at deuce in the crucial fifth game.

‏@NeilHarmanTimes tweets: Great play from The Fed. Slice backhand and then he comes over the top of one. Murray nets backhand and it’s 2-2

Federer v Murray 2 - *2 We are back on serve at Centre Court where Federer has wasted no time in breaking back

2.38pm From Dunblane, Andy Murray’s home town, Times reporter Lindsay McIntosh writes: Its pubs have got the champagne on ice, its tennis club members are clad in Game Set Murray tee shirts and its community centre is decked out in saltires and union flags. Dunblane, the small Scottish town, is going all out for its famous son who made history on Friday and could be about to do it again.
At the Dunblane Sports Club, whose nets the young Murray used to belt balls across when he could barely see over them, junior members are wearing t shirts branded “game, set, Murray”.
Bernie Beattie, the treasurer, remembers him as a determined child. “he hated to lose,” she says. “and you can still see that today. “I could always see that him and Jamie both were very, very talented and were going to go far. They got a lot of encouragement from their parents, which you need. His mum still helps out here.”
In the Dunblane Hotel, the crowds are spilling out into the cigarette shelter already. Inside, there is barely room to raise a glass. David Cumming, 25, who went to school with Murray, believes today is his classmate’s day. “he’s going to do it,” he says. “you have to be positive.” After Murray’s last game, the pub erupted in cheers and the beer flowed well into the night. This afternoon, owner Tom McLean and his customers are hoping they will finally be able to pop the corks on that champagne.

Federer v Murray *1 - 2 The Swiss master is on the scoreboard with his first game.

Federer v Murray 0 - 2* Murray builds on his early break. A stunning forehand down the line helped build confidence in that game. He appears to be timing the ball sweetly and with great power.

Federer v Murray *0 - 1 Murray makes a stunning start by breaking a nervy Federer straight off

2.12pm The Celt in me is begining to surface. Though only a quarter Irish and quarter Welsh I’m all British for today - as is Murray of course.

2.10pm Some great glimpses for the excited crowds going into centre court: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, the Beckhams and . . . Ronnie Wood.

2.05pm Federer wins the coin toss and the players pose for the offical photographs ahead of the warm-up. Neves are beginnig to jangle.

2pm The gladiators have taken the long walk along the hall of champions and have entered the arena that is Centre Court. Murray, with racquet in hand, Federer looking crisp, calm and collected in tracksuit top.

1.58pm After a heavy shower, the sun’s out and it’s scorching. The roof operator must be at his or her wits’ end with just minutes to go. “Actually I quite like cloud. It’s too hot now,” one fan says.

1.45 The Centre Court roof is fully open and the sun is out at last. Rain still threatens the showpiece event, however.

1.45pm There’s a big crowd outside the members’ building at the AELTCC waiting for Federer and Murray to show up. “They’re late,” a Scottish fan said. “They should be here by now. They go in that door.” His son added: “I can’t just keep taking photos of that doorway. Come on Andy.”

1.41pm Times reporter Ruth Maclean: ‘There are hoots of laughter as a girl comes down the stairs and starts scrubbing the step Murray’s about to walk on. “Cinderella!” someone calls’.

1.40pmThis tennis fan waited for 10 minutes just to get a picture of a picture of ‘Darth Federer’ on one of the Wimbledon scoreboards.

1.35pm The champagne has been rather prematurely cracked open, and up on Murray Mount strawberries and cream are being bravely scoffed, reports Ruth Maclean, and I just saw a lady with four empty Pimms cans lined up on the table in front of her. Black clouds are beginning to mount on the horizon nonetheless.

1.30pm The retractable roof at Centre Court is beginning to open. With luck the men’s final will be an outdoor event after all.

1.22pm A day of destiny begins in earnest for Andy Murray with his arrival at Wimbledon to contest his first Wimbledon men’s singles final. It will also be the first time the Scot has met with Roger Federer on grass.

1.15pm Delighted faces in SW19 as the sun comes out for a whole two minutes, reports Ruth Maclean. Umbrellas are rolled down, albeit perhaps temporarily, and on Murray Mount the jackets and jumpers are coming off in hope. “It’s not actually that wet,” says one fan, touching the grass to test its sitability.”
Everyone is getting a beer in while they still can and tucking into their sandwiches while watching the highlights of Murray’s semi-final win against Tsonga. For the moment at least, the atmosphere is relaxed.

1.09pm David Cameron is his bringing his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge is bringing her sister Pippa, and Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson and Alex Salmond are all bringing their wives, reports Ruth Maclean.
The Royal Box is packed with politicians, celebrities and, of course royalty. The Beckhams have seats booked, as do the Duke of Kent, Sir Steve Redgrave and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, but all eyes will be on the lanky Scot.

1.05pm Ruth Maclean, our roving reporter on the very soggy ground in SW19, reveals that Murray Mount is already packed with people jostling to maintain their spot. Sitting on plastic bags, their colourful umbrellas are up and the wellies are already beginning to churn up the turf, but this is one area of grass here that the groundsmen aren’t that worried about. Everyone’s having a great time despite the awful weather.

1pm It’s here. Andy Murray’s date with destiny. You know it’s a big match when you have the quartet of Victoria Beckham, Kate Middleton, Kim Sears and Samantha Cameron in the stands - and this doesn’t get any bigger for Murray. Stay with our live blog as we bring you every ace, double fault, broken racquet and trophy lift of the men’s Wimbledon final. We’ll also have extended insight from our correspondents in SW19 and tweets from Neil Harman and other expert observers as the match unfolds.