Wimbledon - Nadal triumphs in Wimbledon thriller

Eurosport - Mon, 07 Jul 14:10:00 2008

Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as king of Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory in one of the most dramatic finals seen at the All England Club.

TENNIS Rafa Nadal campeón Wimbledon 2008 foto EFE - 0

The 22-year-old Nadal survived an incredible Federer fightback to become the first Spaniard to win the grasscourt grand slam since Manuel Santana in 1966. He is also the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

After two rain interruptions the players returned to court for a third time with light fading fast and in a nerve-shredding finale the contest ended with Nadal collapsing to the dusty baseline after a Federer forehand struck the net.

"It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment...winning my favourite tournament, it's a dream," Nadal said after climbing through the crowd to hug his family and shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain in the Royal Box.

"He's (Federer) still the number one, he's still the best, he's five times champion, now I have one."

Defeat ended Federer's six-year unbeaten run on grass, spanning 65 matches and ended his hopes of surpassing Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles.

The Swiss, who is still two grand slam titles shy of Pete Sampras's record 14, took defeat like a true champion, although he later said it was too dark to play at the end.

"I tried everything," the 26-year-old said on court. "Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic.

"It didn't make it easier but I expected the worst. It's the worst opponent on the best court. It's been a joy to play here again. It's a pity I couldn't win it but I'll be back next year."

A shattered-looking Federer later told reporters it was the "hardest" loss of his career.

The final was delayed by half an hour because of rain and when battle did commence it was world number two Nadal who came out firing on all cylinders.

He broke Federer's second service game when the Swiss completely missed a backhand in the gusty conditions.

Nadal targeted Federer's off-key backhand relentlessly and it paid handsome dividends as the Swiss failed to capitalise on several chances to get back into the set.

Federer had two break points when Nadal served for the set at 5-4 but failed to convert and then netted another backhand to hand the marauding Majorcan the opener.

Nadal soon found himself 4-1 down in the second set as Federer's game clicked but he broke back in the seventh game with a pummelled pass that flew off Federer's racket.

With the momentum back Nadal applied the thumbscrews on Federer to break again, forging a two-set lead and sending the Swiss slouching despondently back to his chair.

Nadal seemed closed to victory at 3-3 in the third set when Federer fell 0-40 down on serve but the Swiss served his way out trouble and suddenly the spark returned.

After the first lengthy rain delay he pounced in the tiebreak, taking control with two sweetly struck forehands before clinching the third set with an ace.

Twice Federer showed tremendous resolve when he served to stay alive at 4-5 and 5-6 in the fourth set before a tiebreak that had the crowd gripping their seats.

Nadal held a 5-2 lead but served a nervy double fault. Still the Spaniard carved out a championship point at 7-6 but Federer saved it with a service winner.

Nadal carved out a second match point, this time on his serve, at 8-7 with a running forehand pass. Pinned in the corner, Federer then conjured a magical backhand up the line.

When he secured the tiebreak 10-8 football-style chants echoed around court for both players.

Rain stopped play again at 2-2 in the decider and when the players returned the atmosphere crackled. Both players refused to blink as games went with serve but it was a weary Federer who wavered at 7-7.

Federer saved one match point with a fizzing backhand but Nadal would not be denied his first grand slam title away from Roland Garros, bagging victory after four hours 48 minutes of supreme sporting theatre.

Reuters

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  1. I am so glad to know I was not alone in watching this game. VAMOS Rafa!

    From tsankasla, on Fri 11 Jul 12:55AM

  2. That was a very best match I've Seen. Yes Nadal is my favourite player while Federer is my wife's favourite. Started at 8:30 pm in my country and finished at 4.30 am, i was enjoying the match. Eventhough delayed by rain coming but I was patiently waiting till the game end.
    Bravo Nadal You could be number one rank this year.

    From WAQ, on Wed 9 Jul 9:16AM

  3. That was one of the best matches I've seen. People said Federer played rubbish, but Nadal was so sensational on centre court that Federer couldn't beat him. And I think that Federer's dominance is loosening, like Davidenko is improving, Djokovic, Ferrer, Murray, Gasquet, Nalbandian and Roddick are challenging. And I'll just make a note that Nadal is going to be No. 1

    From alexthescot123, on Tue 8 Jul 9:00PM

  4. Dt was a great match.both players played xtraordinarily wel.there was no loser in e real sense of it.they were just two talented players giving out thier best in them n giving us a superb match.rafa did deserv e winx.he's such a great player who showed so much determinatn n strong will.roger stil remains e best.so to both i say thanks 4 such a great play n sportmanship.hope 2 see much more 4rm u guys in e future.camair.

    From Clarence N, on Tue 8 Jul 1:55PM

  5. Dt was a great match.both players played xtraordinarily wel.there was no loser in e real sense of it.they were just two talented players giving out thier best in them n giving us a superb match.rafa did deserv e winx.he's such a great player who showed so much determinatn n strong will.roger stil remains e best.so to both i say thanks 4 such a great play n sportmanship.hope 2 see much more 4rm u guys in e future.camair.

    From Clarence N, on Tue 8 Jul 1:54PM

  6. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH PLAYERS ESPECIALLY TO NADAL HE ALMOST GAVE ME A HEART ATTACH WHEN HE LOST THE TIE BREAKS. BUT HE CAME BACK STRONG AND DESERVES TO WIN AND ROGER WHAT A COME BACK FROM 2 SETS DOWN. ALSO I FEEL THAT BORG SHOULD NOT PRESENT WHEN ROGER IS PLAYING BECAUSE HE'S GOT EVIL EYES AND IS A VERY BITTER PERSON AND JELOUSY OF ROGER I FEEL. I THINK HE BROUGHT BAD LUCK FOR ROGER ON SUNDAY. HE WAS ONCE A GREATER PLAY BUT HE SHOULD LET IT GO AND LET OTHERS ENOY.PETER SAMPRAS DID AND BORG SHOULD GTOW UP ITS NOT ROGER'S FAULT HE'S BROKE AND HIS DREAMS DID NOT COME TRUE. NEXT TIME ROGER BUT FOR NOW ITS VAMOOOOOOOOS RAFA

    From shayne s, on Tue 8 Jul 11:54AM

  7. nadall is a sexy boy and you are my life ı love nadal ı love:)

    From yldzysm, on Tue 8 Jul 8:59AM

  8. Oh my God! I was so that the so called King of Grass was dethroned. All Hail Nadal! You made my day yesterday Rafa.

    From lilyuni, on Mon 7 Jul 2:40PM

  9. Oh my God! I was so that the so called King of Grass was dethroned. All Hail Nadal! You made my day yesterday Rafa.

    From lilyuni, on Mon 7 Jul 2:40PM

  10. Oh my God! I was so that the so called King of Grass was dethroned. All Hail Nadal! You made my day yesterday Rafa.

    From lilyuni, on Mon 7 Jul 2:40PM

  11. rhymes, i totally agree with u regarding giving out info so if u have skype which i only use in austria check out ralphvandereb which is my skype name based in austria and if u want to send me an sms u can use my romanian number which will only be working one more day so pretty safe under the circumstances number is 0040743483666. my other numbers or email i also hesitate to give out. cheers and look forward to hearing from u. madrid is a bit out of the way cause will be going down the east coast to catch a ferry in denia sometime in august. was hoping u might be on the catalan side, anyway catch up with u soon.

    From ralph r, on Mon 7 Jul 2:33PM

  12. ..Nadal has joined the league of great tennis stars!!! gratulerer

    From midepam, on Mon 7 Jul 2:23PM

  13. Rafa is the real number one! Of course Roger is good but... The match was quite good, Roger was good! Rafa is the best!!!

    From kea1911, on Mon 7 Jul 2:16PM

  14. faffa only him can go such mirackels oh my good just when i look his eyes when he win and i felt happier in my life what a gay just fabiolus he is unik only raffa a hundrind times in eternity

    From fabjola, on Mon 7 Jul 1:30PM

  15. ramiraminen u said that rafa has no talent ?!!!! david mercer the commentator & tennis expert say : nadal has the power , the movments , the big stroks also a lot of other players have it but who has the talent and the brain to put shots in the places that rafa make . nadal has a unbelievable basline game , great volleys & overhead when he go to the net , fantastic drop shots and very strong mental. i don't see anything boring or untalented , he is a complete player. u ramiraminen don't know anything about tennis shut ur mouth idiot cause yesterday was a fantastic match!!!!!!!

    From hmb22200, on Mon 7 Jul 12:31PM

  16. Crikey Ralph. You get this year's prize for the most international tennis fan round these parts. If that final had gone on for much longer you'd have probably ended up watching it in at least three different countries. I live in a small towm about 15 Km outside Madrid. Things are a bit up in the air at the mo. and we may be moving back into the centre. Be great to meet up for a chat if it coincided with your travel plans and our holiday and house-moving, if it happens. Failing to plump for a winner in Wimbledon finals is symptomatic of general indecisiveness in my life, I'm afraid, so who knows if we'll make the move or not in the end. In any case, it'd be nice to at least exchange email addresses and telephone numbers. The problem is that I'm not sure exactly how to do that. Much as I love the people who post comments on these sites (I'm sure it's mutual - sorry about the sarcasm at times folks - just my way of getting through the day when the Samaritans are engaged - yeah I stole that from "Fawlty Towers"), I don't thinks I'll be posting that kind of info here. Any suggestions to overcome that Ralph? In any case, it's been a blast my friend. I've really enjoyed exchanging views with you and other tennis fans and yes, it's great to see the dissipation of the hate mail and disrespectful comments to other posters and the players. I hope to catch up with you all again at the US Open and maybe the preceding tourneys. I've got a bit of catching up to do workwise after all my long-winded, time-consuming posts. CHEERS

    From rhymes450, on Mon 7 Jul 12:30PM

  17. I was worn out after watching the most tense game I have ever watched. Just brilliant.

    From Mixed Biscuits, on Mon 7 Jul 12:03PM

  18. Yesterday was the greatest tennis championship i had witness.. I was really shocked and tensed with the 2 players ( RAFA & ROGER ) who played so hard and fantastic!... For Roger, the sportmanship you showed was terrific and for you RAFA VAMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!!!!!!.. you're the great and the best. CONGRATULATION!!

    From Rhain L., on Mon 7 Jul 11:40AM

  19. finally the wimbledom title for nadal and we the fans. i love nadal and i thinkhe is mentally stronger than all the others. anyone else would have freaked out after leading 2 sets and losing the other two in tie breaks.nadal is so entertaining. roger is equally fantastic , he is stll the best 4 now.he was not going to just lose in 2 sets like any one else ,he gave a very good fight. i almost died of heart attack. ameze from italy

    From osiforobertuk, on Mon 7 Jul 10:42AM

  20. It was a great match. I must admit Roger played quite impressively after the first rain delay.....but Rafa proved he was stronger, mentaly speaking. Nadalin won the tournament of his dreams....finally. U're the best Nadalin....and u're very humble too.....u're not selfish as other players......and u played every point as it would have been a match point. What can I say? Congratulations Nadal and keep fighting! vamos Rafa!!!!!! Romania is with u!!!!!
    besos para mi amiga Alina.....care l-a sustinut pe Nadalin.......si impreuna am reusit sa-l facem sa castige......cu puterea mintii......:)))) sper ca ai sarbatorit cu hasminda @#$% ai promis :))))))

    From anck_2428, on Mon 7 Jul 10:39AM
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