Nadal accepts his crown
July 7th 2008 00:21
Look to the heavens - Nadal realises his moment of glory
Nadal has achieved what was thought to be impossible - beating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in a final more time consuming than ever experienced on the surfaces of Wimbledon.
It was the longest final in Wimbledon no doubt. Four hours and fifty minutes to be exact. It was a final that captivated all who watched. Two of the greatest players of the modern era going head to head. A battle worthy of rememberance.
Nadal - who hails from Mallorca and at just 22 years of age has claimed five grand slams, was a site to behold.
After winning the French Open four times in succession, Nadal knew this was his time. A time to finally wrestle a crown away from one of the true superstars of world sport. A crown which has allowed Federer to win 12 Grand Slams, including five straight Wimbledon titles.
But no more.
Nadal became the first player to achieve both the French and Wimbledon titles since Bjorn Borg in 1980. Federer on the other hand was left wondering.
Wondering how a player that has won the past five Wimbledon titles, including 65 consecutive victories on grass, be on the runners-up podium for the first time since, well, ever.
For Nadal, he became the first Spaniard to achieve a Wimbledon crown in the open era since 1968, and the second in history to win the tournament since Manuel Santana in 1966.
"It is a dream to win here" Nadal said, emotional at the end of a gruelling encounter. He was quick to praise his nemesis in Roger Federer. A nemesis on court but a true ally of it.
"Roger is still the best, he has demonstrated that he is a champion and for me, this is very important".
As classic finals tend to do, the game did not go according to script.
Nadal was the dominant force out there, thanks to both his precision of play and his determination to win the big points. The Spaniard was on fire and Federer looked all washed out. Nadal was leading the final by two sets to love.
But like a true epic worthy of an academy award, the rain poured. A key factor in washing Nadal's fire away. A key break for Federer to re- assert order in a final many predicted would go his way.
Play resumes and Federer's best is in action. two sets down and the world No.1 reacted and conquered the third set to stay in touch.
In the fourth, emotional and brilliant at the same time, the Swiss maestro saves two match points. Thanks to his spectacular reaction, Federer wins a tiebreak when obscurity was near. Rain falls once again.
At the start of the fifth, the crowd saw the best tennis in a final with more twists than hurricane Catrina.
Both players at the peak of their powers, concentrated with the task at hand. The finale was coming to an end. Another tiebreak would ultimately decide the 2008 Wimbledon champion.
The tiebreak was 7-7 when Nadal took the decisive steps to immortality. The Spaniard broke the Federer serve and the match was his for the taking.
The certificate was now near. Nadal had to hold serve and he did with Federer hitting a drive too error prone for his liking. The match was over.
Nadal fell to the floor, withstanding all history against him to claim a scalp that has had its fair shair of Wimbledon successes.
Like a true champion, Nadal gained his composure and congratulated his rival.
Calm and collected, Nadal rose infront of all that watched and celebrated his maiden Wimbledon crown, basking in the ovation that Federer once experienced five times in succession.
A fitting finale to say the least.
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