Nadal Wins Wimbledon

"Rafael Nadal Wins Wimbledon!" was one of the main headlines and sports stories of not only the summer of 2008, but perhaps the entire year.  Nadal had been the second ranked player in the world for several years as he watched Roger Federer claim almost every major title en route to remaining as the number one seed for over two hundred weeks straight.

Nadal had soundly beaten Federer in the French Open Final earlier in 2008, but as Nadal and Federer prepared for a rematch in the Wimbledon Final, many people believed it would be difficult for Nadal to repeat his success. Entering the match, Federer held a 65 match winning streak on grass (the court at Wimbledon is made of grass) and a 40 match winning streak at Wimbledon, which included the previous five titles.  On the other hand, Nadal was 0-2 against Federer on grass, including a loss in the 2007 Wimbledon Final.

What occured at the 2008 Wimbledon Final was one of the best tennis matches in the history of the sport, which Raphael Nadal ended up winning. The match was a back and forth battle.  Nadal jumped out to a quick start, winning the first two sets.  Nadal's intensity, speed and strength seemed to be knocking Federer back as they had during the French Open Final almost a month earlier. However, Federer exemplified why he had been such a worthy champion and worldwide number one by taking the next two sets.  These two sets did not come easy as Federer found himself in difficult holes - he saved three match points - but managed to win each set in a tiebreak.

The match was delayed by rain on three different occasions, including during the fifth set, which was tied at 2-2.  The onset of evening made the crowd and other match officials nervous that the championship would have to be decided the following day.  However, the last rain shower passed after thirty minutes and the match resumed. The final set went back and forth with each player gaining a break point along the way.  Nadal and Federer were tied at 7-7 when Nadal's enduarance and intensity began to manifest and show the areas where Nadal was superior to Federer. Federer saved three break points but Nadal had him against the ropes and gained a point on Federer after he forced him into a forehand error.  Once the serve was given to Nadal, he forced Federer into another forehand error that went right into the net. Nadal immediately collapsed with exhaustion as the camera bulbs flashed in the rapidly gathering darkness. The match ended at 9:15 PM British Standard Time after lasting four hours and forty-eight minutes.

Federer dejectedly watched as Nadal accepted the Wimbledon Championship trophy.  Nadal became the first man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back since Bjorn Borg accomplished the feat in 1980. At 22 years old, Nadal had captured his 5th Grand Slam Title, while Federer at 26 was still searching for his 13th title.

Raphael Nadal's win at Wimbledon in 2008 had everything you wanted in a tennis final.  It featured the number one ranked player against the number two ranked player.  Both Nadal and Federer were perhaps inarguably the two best players in the game at that time.  The match was interrupted repeatedly by weather, which each player had to overcome using his own physical and mental resources. The match was played at perhaps the most presitigous event in the tennis year. The match lasted nearly five hours and stretched into the evening, with the last shot coming in near darkness.  Many people lauded the match with "best ever" status and it certainly seems that it was.

It has yet to be seen if Raphael Nadal's win at Wimbledon will signal a change in the tennis balance of power. However, any tennis fan can look forward to more Nadal and Federer matchups for years to come.

Sources:

ESPN

BBC