Roger Federer Wins Wimbledon 2012, Ties Pete Sampras For Most Wins, Photos Of All Seven Titles

With an emotional victory over Andy Murray on Sunday, Roger Federer captured his seventh Wimbledon championship title.

The incredible feat not only had the sports world buzzing, but it tied Federer with Pete Sampras for the most Wimbledon titles ever won and even ushered him back in as the No. 1 ranked tennis player in the world.

It's amazing, Federer told the host broadcaster. It equals me with Pete Sampras, who is my hero, so it feels amazing.

After a 2-1/2 year drought without a grand slam title, Federer now has a staggering 17 major tournament wins to his name and will have the highest ranking in professional tennis for the 286^th week of his career.

The 30-year-old phenom, who proved he can still rally with the best of them, won his first Wimbledon on Sunday since 2009, with his last major win coming at the Australian Open in 2010 when he beat Murray, who is 25.

Continuing in the record-setting theme of Sunday's exciting Wimbledon final, Federer's victory also means he is only the second player in the men's game to have held the top ranking over the age of 30, alongside Andre Agassi.

As we know, the world No. 1, you don't get that gifted, he added. I was up two sets to love in the quarters last year, two sets to love up at the U.S. Open ... so many chances, maybe I got nervous, maybe the other guys were just too good.

I've obviously gone through some struggles as well, a lot of changes have happened in my life since so this one comes at the right time, as any grand slam victory.

Federer, a native of Bottmingem, Switzerland, took down Murray, with 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 victory at the All-England club. Despite being the first Briton to reach a men's singles final at Wimbledon in 74 years, Murray's loss represented his fourth defeat in major finals.

I'm getting closer, an emotional Murray joked. I'd like to congratulate Roger. I was getting asked the other day after I won my semifinal, 'was this my best chance because Roger is 30 now?' Well, he's not bad for a 30-year-old.

He played a great tournament. He showed what fight he still has in him. So, congratulations Roger you deserve it.

Federer's wife and twin daughters cheered and smiled as the husband and father took his seat to await his seventh Wimbledon trophy presentation.

Click 'Start' to see photos of Roger Federer and his incredible career.