[1] This match was historic as it saw Federer capture his fifteenth major title, breaking the all-time Grand Slam record held by Pete Sampras.

The victory also caused Federer to reclaim the world number 1 ranking from his rival Rafael Nadal.

[2] Roger Federer had tied Sampras with fourteen major singles titles a month earlier at the 2009 French Open and was seeking to set a new standard of excellence in the men's game by capturing an unprecedented fifteenth championship.

Former world number 1 Andy Roddick was looking to capture his first Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam, having won the 2003 US Open.

Federer had cruised through the bottom half of the draw only dropping a single set en route to his seventh consecutive Wimbledon final.

[3] Roddick then defeated British hope Andy Murray, the world number 3, in the semifinals 6–4, 4–6, 7–6(9–7), 7–6(7–5) to book a spot in his third Wimbledon final.

Perhaps the most critical moment of the match was in the second-set tiebreaker, when Roddick led 6–2 with four set points to take a commanding lead.

There was not another break opportunity until Roddick served at 14–15 and Federer broke him, for the first time in the entire match, to win a record-breaking fifteenth Grand Slam championship.