( CNN ) -- Roger Federer secured a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title to dash the hopes of Andy Murray and a partisan Centre Court crowd . Federer made it 17 grand slam titles to his name after a two-and-a-half-year drought and matched the haul of American Pete Sampras at the All England Club . The Swiss will return to the top of the world rankings as a result of his 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 victory , meaning he will match his hero Sampras ' record of 286 weeks at No . 1 . For Murray , the first Briton to reach a men 's singles final at Wimbledon in 74 years , it represented his fourth defeat in major finals , and his pain was acutely felt by a fervent crowd at Wimbledon . Sampras : I hated ( and loved ) Wimbledon . Federer 's triumph was his first at Wimbledon since 2009 , with his last major win coming at the Australian Open in 2010 when he also beat Murray . `` It 's amazing , '' Federer told the host broadcaster . `` It equals me with Pete Sampras , who is my hero , so it feels amazing . `` I think I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of matches . It 's worked out so many times here that I play my best in semis and the final . I could n't be more happy -- it feels being great being back here as the winner . It 's a great moment . '' Federer 's victory 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 do n'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 never stopped believing and I started playing more even though I have a family and it all worked out , I got great momentum and confidence and it all came together . It 's a magical moment for me . `` 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 . '' Murray had started well , spurred on by a fervent home crowd desperate to see a first British winner in the men 's singles since Fred Perry in 1936 , breaking Federer in the very first game . Wimbledon grass faces Olympic race against time and nature . And though the 25-year-old then lost his own serve , he summoned another break to take his first set in a grand slam final . As a tense second set neared its climax , Federer then executed two perfect drop shots to stun Murray and take it 7-5 . The third set was locked at 1-1 when a heavy burst of rain arrived , forcing the players off court as the recently installed roof was closed . The change in atmosphere played into Federer 's hands as he reappeared rejuvenated . An epic sixth game of the set lasted for 20 minutes and 10 deuces as Murray desperately tried to cling on to his serve . But once Federer secured the break he quickly finished the set and then broke for 3-2 in the final set , sinking to the turf as a cross court forehand from Murray handed him his seventh title . Afterwards , a tearful Murray joked : `` I 'm getting closer . 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 . '' Murray saluted the fans who offered him such support throughout the tournament , and remarked on the pressure that comes with carrying a nation 's hopes of finally ending a 76-year British wait for the men 's title . Expectations had been raised even higher after Jonathan Marray became Britain 's first men 's doubles champion at Wimbledon since 1936 on Saturday . `` Everyone always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon but it 's not because of the people watching , '' Murray said . `` They make it so much easier to play . The support has been incredible so thank you . ''
Murray wins his seventh Wimbledon title beating Murray 4-6 7-5 6-3 17 grand -4 . Federer matches Andy Murray Wimbledon record with his latest victory . Murray suffers his seventh defeat in major finals as his loss is felt by partisan crowd . Federer has now won 17 grand slam titles and regains the world No . 1 ranking .