Lionhearted Nadal dethrones Federer in Wimbledon epic
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
LONDON, July 7 (AFP): Rafael Nadal dethroned five-time champion Roger Federer as king of Wimbledon Sunday with an epic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (8/10), 9-7 win in one of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time.
The Spaniard, who had squandered two match points in a nerve-shredding fourth set tie-breaker and a third in the decider of the longest final in Wimbledon history, added a first All England Club title to his four French Opens.
He also shattered Federer's dreams of an historic sixth successive Wimbledon trophy.
"It's impossible to explain what I felt when I won. I'm just very happy to win this title. I never thought I could win but to do so is a dream," said Nadal who had lost the last two finals to Federer.
"I had match points but Roger is very tough. I want to congratulate Roger because he is great for tennis, win or lose.
"He's still the number one, he's still the best. He is a five-time champion and I have just the one title here."
Federer admitted he had been beaten by the better man on the day.
"I tried everything," he said. "Rafa is a deserving champion -- he just played fantastic.
"It is a pity I didn't win but I will be back next year."
Federer had his opportunities but could only convert one of 13 break points while sending down 52 unforced errors to the world number two's 27.
Victory made the 22-year-old Nadal only the third man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season, and the first since Bjorn Borg in 1980, while giving Spain its first men's champion here since Manolo Santana in 1966.
The win also ended Federer's six-year, 65-match winning streak on grass.
At four hours and 48 minutes, it was the longest final in Wimbledon history beating the 4:16 it took Jimmy Connors to beat John McEnroe in 1982 and ended in murky Centre Court darkness at 2116 local time (2016GMT).
Nadal shrugged off a rain-enforced 35-minute delay to the start to break first to lead 2-1 with Federer desperately chasing the Spaniard's power-packed forehands.
The Spaniard, who had squandered two match points in a nerve-shredding fourth set tie-breaker and a third in the decider of the longest final in Wimbledon history, added a first All England Club title to his four French Opens.
He also shattered Federer's dreams of an historic sixth successive Wimbledon trophy.
"It's impossible to explain what I felt when I won. I'm just very happy to win this title. I never thought I could win but to do so is a dream," said Nadal who had lost the last two finals to Federer.
"I had match points but Roger is very tough. I want to congratulate Roger because he is great for tennis, win or lose.
"He's still the number one, he's still the best. He is a five-time champion and I have just the one title here."
Federer admitted he had been beaten by the better man on the day.
"I tried everything," he said. "Rafa is a deserving champion -- he just played fantastic.
"It is a pity I didn't win but I will be back next year."
Federer had his opportunities but could only convert one of 13 break points while sending down 52 unforced errors to the world number two's 27.
Victory made the 22-year-old Nadal only the third man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season, and the first since Bjorn Borg in 1980, while giving Spain its first men's champion here since Manolo Santana in 1966.
The win also ended Federer's six-year, 65-match winning streak on grass.
At four hours and 48 minutes, it was the longest final in Wimbledon history beating the 4:16 it took Jimmy Connors to beat John McEnroe in 1982 and ended in murky Centre Court darkness at 2116 local time (2016GMT).
Nadal shrugged off a rain-enforced 35-minute delay to the start to break first to lead 2-1 with Federer desperately chasing the Spaniard's power-packed forehands.