Four Seasons

Win a year of free pizza at PizzaExpress

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From Times Online

July 6, 2008

Rafael Nadal stuns Roger Federer to win Wimbledon

Times Online

Rafael Nadal claimed his first Wimbledon men's singles with a five-set victory over Roger Federer, the five-time reigning champion, after what will rank as one of the greatest finals of a grand-slam tournament.

Nadal squandered a two-set lead and two Championship points in the fourth set tie-break before summoning the strength to defeat the world No 1 in the fifth set, sealing a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 victory as dusk fell on Centre Court.

After a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes, making it the longest men's singles final in Wimbledon history, Nadal finally gained a critical advantage in the 15th game of the final set, breaking Federer and then serving out for the Championship.

The Spaniard celebrated the victory by first collapsing to the floor and then climbing through the stands to embrace his family, as Pat Cash did 21 years ago, before walking across the scoreboard roof to shake hands with the Spanish royalty in the Royal Box.

Nadal had produced near-flawless tennis in the first set, breaking serve in the third game of the match when two consecutive missed backhands by Federer set the tone for a patchy start by the Swiss.

Federer failed to grasp an immediate break-back opportunity, allowing Nadal the momentum he needed to continue to dominate, lulling his opponent into uncharacteristic unforced errors and serving out impressively.

Not that he won the set easily. Nadal saved two break-points and survived four deuces on his serve before finally converting a third set-point chance for a 6-4 lead after 47 minutes of play.

Federer responded strongly. After starting the second set with his second consecutive love service-game, he pressured the Nadal serve and broke for a 2-0 lead with a searing forehand cross-court winner.

The champion then swept into a 4-1 lead but Nadal responded emphatically, winning five games in a row and rallying from break-point down to hold and take the second set 6-4.

In the third, Federer squandered four break-points on the Nadal serve at 3-2 and, with nothing to separate two players producing imperious tennis, it went to a tie-break. Federer claimed the first advantage with a big service return to set up a 4-2 lead and maintained his lead to win the tie-break 7-5.

Both men served strongly in the fourth set, Federer twice to stay in the Championship, forcing a second tie-break more compelling than any seen in a Wimbledon final since the 34-pointer that Bjorn Borg won against John McEnroe in 1980.

Nadal grabbed a 5-2 lead but double-faulted and allowed Federer to haul himself back from a double mini-break down. Federer was first to hold a set-point at 6-5, but sent a forehand into the tramlines.

At 6-6, a long forehand gave Nadal his first Championship point, but Federer saved it with an unplayable serve. Nadal had his second match-point after a forehand pass yet Federer summoned an even better backhand winner to save again. Federer earned his second set-point at 9-8, and this time a long backhand return from Nadal brought an end to a momentous tie-break, Federer winning it 10-.

A second rain break early in the deciding set did little to detract from the game's momentum, with Nadal having the first chance to gain an advantage only to lose two break-points on the Federer serve at 5-5.

Finally at 7-7, Nadal converted his fourth break-point to set up the opportunity to serve out for the Championship. On his fourth match point, Nadal forced one final error from Federer - a forehand into the net - and collapsed to the turf in triumph.

Vaamos Rafa!!!

Winning Wimbledon is unbeliveable but doing it beating Federer is a dream . Both are gentlemen and an example for the world.

Congratulations!

Enrique , Madrid, Spain

In a match such as this - one wishes that it could go on for ever & there would be no winner or loser.

Federer & now Nadal have brought back the former reverence to the game (pre McEnroe) and are Tennis' greatest ambassadors. More next year please....

Richard, Bucharest,

Incredible! Rafa and Fed are so gracious in victory and defeat after producing pure brilliance on the court. It truly beggers belief that the winner of wimbledon and the French 4 times is only 22. A rare combination of pure grit and determination aligned with grace. A rarity indeed.

john, BATH,

Congrats! Rafa what a great match.Hopefully Federer will be back. Go Federer GOooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Atif, Karachi, Pakistan

I really hope Federer sticks with it and continues to be motivated..... he has more to give and will win more titles and more majors if he puts his mind to it.. I'd hate to see him leave the game like Borg did. He wasn't at his absolute best especially during the first and second set.

abharrisson, london,

CONGRATULATIONS RAFA! I don't think all champions are as humble as Rafa. Every time he defeated the World No.1, he never failed to acknowledge Roger's excellence in tennis..Great attitude Rafa!!!that's why I like you so much! You really deserve the TITLE! Hats off to you Roger and Rafa!

Daisy Ara, RAMOS, TARLAC, Philippines

It was a stunning match overall. Rafa played extremely well and an astounding win against the world no 1 is really amazing. Though Federer was impressive with his strong serve, the number of unforced errors pushed him backwards.
Credit goes to both the palyers for putting up a remarkable show.

Vignesh.R, Coimbatore, India

Rafa deserved to win, he was so strong.

Has to be said Federer wasn't on his finest form, far too many unforced errors, but it was the correct result on the day

David, St Albans, UK

This was truly one of the best tennis games I've ever seen.

Absolutely stunning tennis.

Peter MacRae, Brisbane, Australia

Rafa is a great champion; he is an amazing player but yet he is humble and considerate with his oponents. Roger is also a great player. This was a match for the ages. I was exhausted after this nerve crashing match. I am glad Rafa won but Roger will still be in the fight for a while. Vamos Rafa!!!

Roman, Toronto, Canada

i am proud to be a Spaniard.After Eurocup championship, with superb Nadal over a superb Roger, Spain is leading many international sport competitions.Futbol team with Torres,Fabregras,Alonso in F1, Nadal in tennis, Sergio Garcia in Golf, Gasol in NBA,the Tour this year for Valverde.JL,salamanca

jsoe luis, salamanca, spain

Rafael Nadal, you absolute legend! Congratulations to both players, that was one of the finest games of Tennis I've watched for years! Nadal really does deserve this!

Robbie, Canberra, Australia

Vamos!!! Podemos!!! (Come on! We can!)
It's the best match I've ever seen. Thank you all!

Paco, Teruel,

Vamos Rafa!!! Great victory and one of the best tennis games I've ever seen. Federer is an incredible champion but 2008 is the year of Spain...thanks a lot Rafa and congratulations!!!

Juan, Madrid,

congratulations nadal even though i was backing federer.one piece of advice.dont push your body so hard or it will soon give way,

skidmark, mumbai, india

What great ambassadors for the sport of tennis: humble, gracious champions. Rafael's win is a lesson for the other young'uns in sheer guts: Djoko, Tsonga, Gasquet & even Roddick and Nalbandian, who are older.

Dominic Binta, Houston, USA

Congratulations Rafa!! You are really the number one! Another victory for Spain!

Jes, Barcelona, Spain

Brilliant game, lots of suspense and finally... the title! Congratulations for giving us a fantastic game!

Billie, Dublin, Ireland

Congrats Rafa. You deserved it, even though I was backing Roger. You're as classy a guy as he is. Glad it was Rafa that ended Fed's reign.

napier, San Fernando,

Thanks for the best final and the best game I've ever watched... Sometimes I wished you both could win, although my hopes were for Nadal. And Nadal you are amazing, gorgeous... Congratulaciones!

Cris Lima, London, UK

What a game, Federer but up a great fight but Nadal is the deserved winner, he was spectacular! It was exhausting to watch, so I can't imagine how they felt after playing nearly 5 hours!

Claire, London,

This is tennis at its greatest. A heavyweight clash like Ali-Foreman. Never seen anything better.

E. Trier Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark

oeeeeoeoeoeeeeeeoeeeeeeoeeee Viva RAFA. y VIVA Roger, what a great tennis match. It's been years without being so excited about a tennis match. It just brings me back to the great classics with Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Yes we can!!!!Podemos!!!!!

Carlos, Madrid, Spain

This was one of the best tennis matches I´ve ever seen. Unbelievable Nadal and a no less unbelievable Federer. Nadal has conquered Roger´s territory, now it will be interesting to see if Roger will ever be able to do so on clay.

Sergio, Barcelona, Spain

An amazing game! I felt all the tennis balls hit by Nadal! They should share this trophy. All the best for Nadal!

Marta, London, uk

Deservedly so, you really couldn't wish for Federer to lose the title to anyone else. Hopefully next year Federer will come back and win it, as he is so gracious and Wimbledon is his tournament.

TW, Milton Keynes,

Incredible!!! What a final!!! The best in history. Thanks R. Federer. Thanks R. Nadal

Javier, susex,

congratulations RAFA , i know it, you deserve this and more and you are making history , enjoy this victory, kisses bye

Jessica , Lima, Peru

dont fear....fed will be back!

Migle, Kent, UK

Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Swiss Roger Federer to win the men's championship at Wimbledon. No one had beaten Federer at Wimbledon since 2002, as he has reeled off five consecutivesingles titles there.This was the greatest Wimbledon I have ever watched. Both Federer and Nadal were superb.

WARIS SHERE, WINNIPEG, CANADA

Also in Tennis

Also in Sport

Focus Zone

Asian Cuisine:

Explore your passion for food with the delights of Thai, Indian & Chinese cooking

A Life More Streamlined:

In our new series, Tony Hawks takes a dry, wry look at modern life - junk mail, interminable meetings and snooty sales assistants

Triathlon Training:

Read the training tips and advice that helped our London Triathletes

James Bond:

Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews

Business Travel:

The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers

Looking for tickets?

Find tickets for:

Concerts & festivals
Sports & comedy
Theatre & exhibitions
Worldwide coverage

Services

Classifieds

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Volkswagen Touareg Altitude

2007
£30,000

BMW 635 Sport

2008
£44,990

Jaguar XK 4.2 V8

2008
£48,489

Car insurance

Great car insurance deals online

Search for more cars and bikes

Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

c.£75,000
GlosFirstmeansbusiness
Gloucestershire

Collaboration Support Managers

£32,795 - £41,545
Universitry of Southampton
Southampton

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Nursing

£ Circa £100k
NHS
London

INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS

£23,500 + benefits
MI5
London

Search more Jobs

Properties

London Living

Some of the finest Apts & Penthouses
Across London

Rushmore Condo's New Luxury Condo's In Manhattan

Great Investment, River Views

Kingswood Chase

Luxury properties within exclusive development in
Chislehurst Kent

Experience the Berkeley Difference

A new experience in Luxury Living

Search for more properties

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Las Vegas, Los Angeles & San Francisco

Multi–Centre
from Only £829pp

Discover Captain Cook’s Hawaiian Islands

With Ramblers Worldwide Holidays!
£POA

Advertise your holiday property online

List your property with two leading travel websites
£POA

Travel insurance

Great travel insurance deals online

Search for more holidays

Place your advert now

Where am I?

Home

Sport Tennis

Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times. Globrix Property Search - search houses for sale and rooms and property to rent in the UK. Milkround Job Search - for graduate careers in the UK. Visit our classified services and find jobs, used cars, property or holidays. Use our dating service, read our births, marriages and deaths announcements, or place your advertisement.

This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.

Four Seasons

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

They need a Valium. They can now vote for one for president

Rafael Nadal stuns Roger Federer to win Wimbledon