The prediction that I allowed myself to entertain during the French Open--that Rafa will win a Slam other than FO--became a reality. It was weird, bizaare, and surreal at the same time. The moment he held a 2-0 set lead, I felt scared because I had an inkling Roger will not be able to get through. Apparently, he did not.

In a way, I felt relieved I did not get to see the match in its entirety. I would not have been able to bear it. It was painful to see Roger lose on what seems to be his turf.

Now Rafa can proudly say that he's not just good on clay, he can be good everywhere.

¡Vamos!

Depois de muitos posts de ausência, o ténis volta a estar na página principal do Tudo em Jogo.

Nadal venceu pela primeira vez o histórico torneio de Wimbledon e voltou a derrotar o nº 1 do Mundo, o suiço Roger Federer. O tenista espanhol quebrou, assim, o ciclo de cinco vitórias consecutivas de Federer e não escondeu que vivia «um sonho», depois de terminar e vencer aquele que foi o mais longo jogo da história de Wimbledon, com 4 horas e 48 minutos.

Desde o sueco Bjorg, Rafael Nadal é o primeiro tenista a conquistar, no mesmo ano, Roland Garros e Wimbledon, os dois torneios mais carismáticos do Grand Slam.

A great video about the nature of rivalry. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used as example in this Wimbledon Championship reel. It is an amazing thing that happened today. What I saw in their eyes was hunter and hunted, each at different times.

Un match adrenalinico, una lotta all'ultimo punto tra due immensi del tennis che schiaffeggiano la palla con una grinta e una determinazione esemplari; meno esemplare, come al solito, l'atteggiamento di Rafa che non manca di indugiare al servizio con palleggi e smutandate che gli costano un'ammonizione.

Scontato il godimento di Clerici e Tommasi, gli esilaranti commentatori, di fronte a uno scontro di tale livello; meno prevedibile invece il coinvolgimento del compito pubblico inglese che ha mollato i freni inibitori, partecipando in maniera partcolarmente attiva senza mai rinunciare a bon ton e cappellini, of course.

Bravissimo lo spagnolo, niente da obiettare: sul campo è ovunque e gioca con una lucidità precoce rispetto alla sua giovane età (22 anni); mostra un visibile miglioramento in quasi tutti i colpi, tuttavia credo che anche gli allenamenti più duri non gli doneranno lo stile e l'eleganza di Mr. Roger.

Still the stubborn tennis world together with the snobby british tennis crowd didn't think he was good enough.Boy had so much to prove, so he went back empty handed and waited for another shot at the crown the following year.2007 saw him battle a rainy fortnight, a 5 days match yet scraped through to the final playing the last 4 matches consecutively.Still the spaniard gave his all during the final. Pushing the swiss tennis god to a thrilling 5 sets.Something that has never been done ever since Federer marked his territory at SW19.Federer held on to the crwon he loves most, the one that defines him as arguable the finest thing that ever happened to tennis.Only then did the tennis world stand up and took notice that Rafa meant business.The match got rave reviews as people thought it was the best match these two have ever played.Some even started suggesting he's gonna beat Federer on grass before Federer can manage to do that at Roland Garros.

Rafa began his incredible run on clay,yet again this year at Monte Carlo.Winning his fourth consecutive singles and first doubles title before he flew home to continue his assault at a fourth consecutive Barcelona Open title.He came to Rome in pursuit of a clay master series sweep but injuries wouldn't let him through the 2nd round, seriously putting his record breaking no.2 position at risk of being taken by Djokovic.The serbian seized the opportunity and won his first clay master series in the absence of Federer and Nadal. The top dogs were not to be denied as they came out swinging at Hamburg.The last clay court master series leading to Roland Garros.Djokovic happened to be on Rafa's side of the draw and they faced off for the no.2 position in the semi finals.Again Rafa proved that when the stakes get high he comes out tops.He stomped through the semis with a thrilling 3 setter.Federer the defending champion was in for a tough task at defending his only clay master series.Rafa was not exhausted like last year and y'all know a health Rafa is close to unbeatable on clay.He dethroned Federer at Hamburg and the fight had only began.

Off they went to Roland Garros.Federer struggled through his side of the draw while Rafa literally stomped through his side of the draw, all the way to the final without dropping a set.The final was anything but competitive.The most lop-sided grandslam men's final i've personally ever watched.Federer could only manage to win 4 games, 1-6, 3-6, 0-6.

The fight had only began.The top two dogs went their separate ways to collect titles in Queen's Club(Rafa) and Halle(Federer).Rafa winning his first grass court title and officially putting himself at the top of the All England top contenders.

fast forward 3 weeks and we hard yesterday's epic final.The stakes had never been higher.The anticipation was ridiculous and boy the match didn't disappoint a bit.In fact it lived up to more than its expectations. After almost 5 hours of drama, rain delays, Rafa came out on top.Dethroning Federer from the territory he'd ruled for the past five years, but this time Rafa was not to be denied and he really deserved this title.

It was madness watching the match.The most nerve-wrecking 5 setter i've ever watched.I had to sleep at 5am bcoz the match took forever.At one point i walked out on it bcoz i couldn't stand the nerves.I needed to do something.Anything but watching the match.I knew i couldn't just change channels, i couldn't even switch the tv and just sit there.Nerves, fidgeting, boy it was crazy.Well, i resumed watching again at 7-7 final set.Turns out i only missed 2 games.Two games later Federer netted and Rafa couldn't believe he has finally done it.I was ecstatic to say the least.

Wow..the beauty of tennis.This match gotta go down as the best tennis match ever played at the championships.A classic for sure.

Ayer incluso los no aficionados al tenis habitualmente pudieron disfrutar del espectáculo que dieron Rafael Nadal y Roger Federer en la edición 2008 del torneo de Wimblendon.

Duró más de lo previsto a pesar de las interrupciones por lluvia, pero ni esas interrupciones hicieron perder el ritmo de juego. Comenzó Nadal ganando 2 sets seguidos, que consiguió empatar Federer, y en el set final, tras puntos espectaculares, el portento físico de Nadal dio el triunfo al español. Un triunfo que se podía haber decantado para cualquier lado. Ganó Nadal, pero sin lugar a dudas, ganó el tenis.

Otros lo cuentan:
marca, as, sport, la web del tenis, rafael-nadal net,  rafael nadal blog, salir a ganar

Algunos enlaces relacionados:
wimblendon
atp (español)
atp (ingles)
el tenis
web tenis
rafael nadal
roger federer

Estratto de La mano di Rod. Il tennis e la teoria del caos. All rights reserved. Tutti i diritti sono riservati.

"Signore e Signori! La donna cannone! L'impareggiabile lanciatore di coltelli! L'incredibile mangiafuoco! E non ultimo il tennista più bravo di sempre!"
Scherzava Maxime Debugnì, e Karen lo ascoltava senza più quello stupore che aveva le prime volte che sentì i suoi discorsi.
"Guardali!" Indicò una fila di persone in coda ai botteghini per un biglietto di Wimbledon. La strada era affollatissima di auto e scooter di ogni marca. La fila, dopo un centinaio di metri, sembrava confondersi tra la folla, ma continuava per altri 200 metri almeno. Teste che brulicavano. Centinaia di teste, che si muovevano senza sosta, impedivano di vedere l'asfalto della strada. C'era chi stava smontando la tenda dove aveva passato la notte, chi arrotolava il sacco a pelo che lo aveva protetto dal freddo, chi scaldava il caffè con un piccolo fornello da campeggio e chi, assonnato, riordinava lo zaino.
"Hanno passato la notte qui. Si sono messi in fila ieri sera nella speranza di avere un biglietto. Sai cosa vogliono vedere, Karen?" Lei ascoltava in silenzio, ormai abituata ai suoi monologhi.
"Non vogliono vedere due persone che giocano a tennis e non vogliono nemmeno vedere il tennis. Questi signori vogliono l'eccezionalità. L'evento unico, il record, il mito, il fenomeno. E io glielo creo il campione dei campioni, il fenomeno dei fenomeni. Gli do quello che cercano, tutto qui". Alzò lo sguardo con aria soddisfatta contemplando compiaciuto, ancora una volta, quella quantità ansiosa di persone con il loro chiacchiericcio, i loro passi concitati; la meraviglia negli occhi dei ragazzi.
"La teoria del caos, Karen". "La teoria del caos", ripeté. "Tolgo a tutti le condizioni iniziali, e le do solo a chi mi pare: al più bravo, a chi mi conviene. Di sicuro non a chi è scarso, sarebbe fatica sprecata."
"Creo il mito. Fenomeni da circo, da baraccone, e io sono il proprietario della baracca. Serve un giocoliere, un trapezista? Posso trovare anche un nano, Karen". Proruppe in una delle sue tipiche risate fragorose, squassanti, quasi becere e interminabili. Neanche Max distingueva bene il confine tra lo scherzo e la realtà, infatti a volte sembrava impossessato da una megalomania che gli faceva credere di poter controllare ogni cosa; e la sua caustica ironia tradiva sia questo aspetto del suo carattere sia la verità.
Entrarono nell' All England Crocket Club con un passo deciso. Max scansava le persone quasi a spallate e Karen approfittava dello spazio che le si apriva davanti tra la folla. Passarono davanti all'entrata degli spogliatoi dove campeggiavano i versi di Rudyard Kipling. Debugnì tirò diritto, senza degnarli di uno sguardo.

IF

Se sai restare calmo quando tutti intorno a te
perdono la testa ed è a te che danno la colpa.
se sai credere in te stesso quando tutti dubitano di te,
ma anche tenere in conto il loro dubbio;
Se sai aspettare e non stancarti di aspettare.
se mentono su di te e riesci a non farti prendere dalla bugia,
se ti odiano e tu non cedi all'odio,
eppure non sembri troppo buono e non parli troppo saggio;
Se sai sognare - e non fare del sogno il tuo signore;
se sai pensare - e non fare del tuo pensiero il tuo tutto;
se sai incontrare il Trionfo e la Rovina
e trattare alla pari questi due impostori;
Se sai sopportare di ascoltare la verità che hai detto
distorta dai furfanti per farne una trappola da sciocchi,
o guardare le cose per cui hai dato la vita distrutte,
e chinarti e ricostruirle con attrezzi logori;
Se sai fare un mucchio di tutte le tue vittorie
e rischiarle in una sola mano di testa-o-croce,
e perdere, e ricominciare dall'inizio
e non dire mai una parola su quello che hai perduto;
Se sai costringere cuore, nervi e tendini
a servire il tuo scopo quando da tempo hanno ceduto,
e a tenere duro quando non c'è nulla in te
tranne la Volontà che dice loro: "Tenete duro!"
Se sai parlare con le folle e mantenerti intero,
o camminare coi Re e non perdere il senso del mondo,
se non ti può ferire il nemico né l'amico più caro,
se tutti contano per te, ma nessuno troppo;
Se riesci a riempire il minuto implacabile
con sessanta secondi di pura corsa,
Tua è la Terra e tutto ciò che comprende,
e - cosa più importante - sei un Uomo, figlio mio!

E' bandito dal comma d della regola n.4 ogni dispositivo “con cui, durante il gioco di un punto, sia possibile cambiare[...] la distribuzione del peso lungo l’asse longitudinale della racchetta che potrebbe modificare il momento d’inerzia dell’oscillazione oppure cambiare volontariamente qualsiasi caratteristica fisica che possa influenzare la prestazione della racchetta durante il gioco di un punto”.

“La racchetta non può contenere né ad essa può essere aggiunta alcuna sorgente di energia che, in qualche modo, possa modificare o influenzare le sue caratteristiche di gioco“.

Just by looking at the score: 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7, there's already a surge of excitement, thrill and not to mention, drama, all at the same time. I'm glad I got to see it and to live in this present history-making tennis era.
I'm really happy for Rafa and was cheering more on his side, as much as I like Federer as a player. (I love 'em both anyways. ) I wanted a new winner just for the sake of the excitement and thrill an upset and a change could bring. =) It meant Federer not being able to break the record of 6 consecutive Wimbledon titles and a new record for Nadal for winning the French Open and Wimbledon titles back to back. Rafa now is only 500something points away from the World #1 territory of Federer. The next grand slam should be exciting. (And maybe Djokovic will be making headlines again next to Federer and Nadal's names. Also Ivanovic!) I can't wait already!!

Almost all of my workfellows here in mina seem siding against my idol as we watched last night the 5 epic hours of strenuous and worth watching Wimbledon finals.  At first I thought I will not be able to catch the finals as I was working yesterday overtime since I am set for a month's break in the Philippines.  Good thing though it rained and their play had to be stopped and I was able to watch their match.  Lucky me!

Nadal last night was just phenomenal and he played fantastically.  From the words of Nadal, after asking if it was greatest match he had ever played, he said, "I don't know if it's the best," "Probably," "Probably the best, yes."  Nadal really indeed overcame rain, darkness, and the valorous effort of Federer to keep on his 5 year winning streak at Wimbledon.

Nothing much to say but just congratulations to Nadal and more spectacular match to come!

Final score of the match: Nadal beat Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 for his first Wimbledon title

Thanks to CNN, www.cnn.com and for my Sony digital cam that I had to take pictures from my television :) just to show support and share the winning experience of my idol Rafael Nadal.

Todo empezo con un buen arranque del español ganando sus dos primeros sets, con el mismo marcador 6 a 4, y todo parecia indicar que Roger Federer volvia a caer en su verdugo en finales de sus ultimos tiempos, pero no hay que descontar al numero 1, de ninguna manera y con dos sets apretados de 7 a 6, Roger Federer igualo en sets al joven español, para irse a un ultimo set en el cual no habria tiebreak para decidir al campeon, uno tenia que quebrar el saque de su contrincante para proclamarse campeon.

Y en una final epica como nunca se habia vivido en Wimbledon, teniendo a la lluvia como invitada no deseada dos veces en el juego y despues de casi 5 horas de juego, Rafael Nadal y Roger Federer estaban empatados a dos sets y el quinto set estaba empatado a 7 juegos para cada uno, Rafael Nadal pudo quebrar el set de Roger Federer y mantener su siguiente saque para poder consagrarse campeon en Wimbledon, votando un reinado de 5 años al mejor jugador del mundo, Roger Federer.

Nadal que solo habia ganado Roland Garros, no se creia lo que estaba viviendo y conmocionado cayo al suelo y entre lagrimas se levanto y saludo a Roger Federer para luego dirigirse al palco donde se encontraba su familia y quebrar en llanto. En la premiacion Roger Federer alago el juego de Rafa, dandole a demostrar su admiracion por la gran final que habian jugado ambos, luego le toco a Nadal regresarle los elogios a Federer, resaltando las virtudes del suizo fuera y dentro de la cancha ya que demuestra ser un caballero en todo momento.

Luego llego la premiacion, en donde Nadal se veia conmocionado al recibir el trofeo que tanto trabajo le costo conseguir, venciendo al maestro de la supercie de cesped, al numero 1 del mundo y con un tennis increible. Al buen rato Nadal reacciono y celebro de su manera tan personal mordiendo la copa, que es su primera en la Catedral del Tennis.

Marcador Final

Nadal Campeon Wimbledon 08

]]> http://reemsaied.wordpress.com/?p=236 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:26:38 +0000 Reem Saied http://reemsaied.wordpress.com/?p=236 The Federer-Nadal final yesterday was so epic in scale, quality, tension & drama that it made the Becker-Edberg finals of 1988-90, the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 and any Sampras-Agassi final look terribly "average". These 2 guys are playing at a level, unseen in tennis history... The only sporting equivalent I can think of is Zinedine Zidane's unbelievable level of play & ball control in the France-Brazil quarterfinal in the 2006 Worldcup and Zidane again in the 1998 World cup final against Brazil.

Yes, there is no comparison in Tennis...yet. Maybe the next U.S.Open, where Federer is again favorite (since the hard court is way faster than grass) will hopefully see a similar final.

Though Nadal won, to be fair to Roger, with the light so poor the last 4 games of the 5th set was simply a matter of luck...They should've stopped play. Similarly, it would have been unfair to Nadal too if he had lost the match instead of Roger. The light was terrible and not fit for professional play.

What does the future now hold for ROGER FEDERER? For starters, the grass is so slow nowadays, that baseliners will continue to dominate Wimbledon like the French Open. But Rafa Nadal, who dominates on clay, is still weaker on grass, and weakest on hardcourts. The slower the court the more dominating Nadal is. In contrast, Federer's game becomes better & better as the courts turn faster.  This means, the only way he can beat Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams, is by going for the US and Australian Opens. Because Nadal will continue to win grass & clay, next 2-3 years.

But then again, Federer can surprise everyone by bouncing back to win not just the US and Australian this year, but next Wimbeldon as well... Nadal will end up with 7-8 French opens, and maybe 3-4 Wimbledons... but to me Roger Federer IS the greatest tennis player of all time. Remember, he is the ONLY player to win 3 GRAND SLAMS in the same year, THRICE.

It has been 28 years since there was a tennis match like this.  28 years of amazing back and forth.  Serving for match point...but wait..it's not over.  Almost 5 hours of brilliant tennis and Rafael Nadal came out on top of Roger Federer.

The longest match in history...and can we say it?  Men's Tennis is back, baby!-Dr.FB

In the meantime, watch match point plus Rafa's celebration.

[wpvideo bsQyZ92C]

Newly Minted 2008 Wimbledon Champion celebrates his win.

cap

It was the longest men's final in Wimbledon history. 4 hours and 48 minutes of arguably the best tennis ever seen. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal proved why they were the top 2 men in tennis and Nadal showed why he should be number one winning 6-4 , 6-4 , 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. It was one of the dramatic finals in history, and indeed history was made. The unthinkable fact that Roger Federer could be beaten on grass was shattered by the king of clay who stopped Federer's streak of 5 Wimbledon titles and stopped his record 65 consecutive wins in grass. Nadal asserted his capability immediately as the match started taking the first set 6-4. Federer was back in the second set winning the first 3 games and then losing 1 and winning 1 and then losing 5 in a row.It was Federer 0-2 sets down. Nobody has ever come back from 2 sets down to win a Wimbledon final and if anyone could do it, it had to be Federer. And so he tried winning the next 2 sets 7-6 & 7-6 .The fifth and final set was locked on 2-2 when the rain interrupted for the third time adding to the drama. But when play resumed, it was again a superb game of tennis from both men going to 7-7 and then 8-7 and finally Nadal closing it 9-7. When Federer hit the net, it was over. Nadal was lying in the grass , Federer looking shell shocked, the crowd roaring as arguably the greatest match of tennis ever played came to an end , so did Federer's reign. Federer hasn't lost his touch. Nadal has become better.

Rafael Nadal felt "attacked" by 8 paparazzi outside a restaurant in London. Yes, all muscle-y 6' 1" of him.

One thing that did surprise me yesterday was the eight paparazzi waiting for me at a restaurant. I didn't tell anyone I was going out and when I arrived they sort of attacked me. I don't know if this is the right word, but believe me it was strange. Too much. I am a person that always works with media, does interviews with them, works closely with them, but I don't find it fair that when I have a few hours free, with my family, simply going for dinner, they persecute me and get those pictures that they sell.

Welcome to superstardom, Mr. Nadal.

Read the rest of his eight paparazzi blog here.

 
This was the greatest tennis match I have ever seen. Rafael Nadal wins his first Wimbledon and Roger is crushed. They played like gladiators and did so for over 4 hrs and 40 mins. Nadal emerged the champion. At 22 he is a tremendous athlete, a true champion and I have been a loyal fan since he turned pro. This is a beautiful moment in history I wish to share with you.

Bravo Rafa!

Il est le Meilleur Joueur de Tennis (Que vous le voulez ou non...)

Il est amené à avoir une Longue et Belle Carriere..(Sans Blessure on souhaite!!)

Il est Jeune et deja égalise La Legende du Tennis

Il est le numero 2 mondial ( mais ce n' est que temporaire...)

Il a gagné son premier Roland-Garros a seulement 19 ans

Il a gagné Rolland-Garros quatre fois de suite

Il a gagné Federer le numero 1 mondial aujourd' hui a Wimbledon

Juste Parceque c'est

Rafael Nadal

So yes, Boston became NBA Champs as Predicted and my Paul Pierce became MVP as expected except that the Celtics actually made garbage time on the Lakers and made Special Attendance at the Pacman-Diaz Match last week wherein Pacman practically killed his opponent early in round 2 and finished though in the 8th.

Aside from that, UEFA EURO 2008 finals champion Spain finally does it after 24 years, now on the account of loser Germany who had an early land on the top. 1-nil just proves a tough match though, similar to this 5-set heart-pounding victory by new king Rafael Nadal over the 5-time-reigning ex-champ Roger Federer in this years Wimbledon Men's Final

In local Sports, well, NCAA kicks off. :D

See one of its official journalists' blog

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- IM to Yahoo and MSN
- What they call E-SMS
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WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Rafael Nadal, grass stains on his white shirt and a Spanish flag tucked under his arm, scampered through the Centre Court stands to celebrate his first Wimbledon title with hugs and handshakes.

Roger Federer sat in his changeover chair, protected from the night’s chill by his custom-made cream cardigan with the gold “RF” on the chest. Alone with his thoughts, alone with the knowledge that he had come so close to becoming the first man since the 1880s to win a sixth consecutive championship at the All England Club.

Two points from victory, the No. 1-ranked Federer couldn’t pull it out, instead succumbing to No. 2 Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 Sunday night in a 4-hour, 48-minute test of wills that was the longest men’s final in Wimbledon history—and quite possibly the greatest.

Even Nadal felt sympathy for Federer.

“I am very happy for me,” Nadal said, “but sorry for him, because he deserved this title, too.”

Through rain, wind and descending darkness, the two greatest players of their generation swapped spectacular shots, until, against a slate sky, Nadal earned the right to fling his racket aside and collapse on his back, champion of the All England Club at last.

“Is impossible to explain what I felt in that moment, no?” Nadal said after accepting the golden trophy that has belonged to Federer since 2003.

The first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year, Nadal stopped Federer’s streaks of 40 victories in a row at the All England Club, and a record 65 in a row on grass, thereby stamping his supremacy in their rivalry, no matter what the rankings say.

“Probably my hardest loss, by far,” Federer said. “I mean, it’s not much harder than this right now.”

No man since 1927 had come back to win a Wimbledon final after losing the first two sets, and none had overcome a match point to seize victory since 1948. If anyone could, it figured to be Federer, especially on this particular lawn.

He hadn’t lost a match on grass since 2002, and he hadn’t lost a set during this tournament before Sunday. He also hadn’t faced anyone nearly as talented and indefatigable as Nadal.

“Look, Rafa’s a deserving champion,” Federer said. “He just played fantastically.”

Indeed he did, earning Spain its first Wimbledon men’s title since Manolo Santana won in 1966.

Nadal managed to regroup after blowing a two-set lead, managed to recover after wasting two match points in the fourth-set tiebreaker, managed to hold steady when Federer needed only two points to end the match while ahead 5-4 in the fifth.

He earned his fifth Grand Slam title, but first away from the French Open, by showing fortitude on his serve, saving 12 of 13 break points. He did it by breaking serve four times—twice as many times as Federer lost serve in his previous six matches combined. And Nadal did it by being better from the baseline, winning 24 of 38 points that lasted 10 or more strokes, according to an unofficial AP tally.

“He was rock-solid, the way we know him,” said Federer, who hit 25 aces. “He’s definitely improved his game.”

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrat…
Getty Images - Jul 6, 6:36 pm EDT

Borg and Santana watched from the front row of the Royal Box at Centre Court, which next year will have a retractable roof. Perhaps Mother Nature wanted one last chance to leave her mark, delaying Sunday’s start by 35 minutes with rain. Showers again caused a delay of 1 hour, 21 minutes late in the third set, then another of 30 minutes at 2-2, deuce, in the fifth set.

When action resumed at 8:23 p.m., it already was tough to see, and the players traded service holds until 7-7. That’s where Nadal finally broke through, as Federer’s forehand really began to break down. A forehand into the net gave Nadal his fourth break point, and a forehand long conceded the game— the first break of serve by either man since the second set.

Nadal still had to serve out the match, though, and he still had to avoid the sort of nerves Federer noticed when his opponent led 5-2 in the fourth-set tiebreaker.

“I played terrible there,” said Nadal, who double-faulted to 5-3.

Down 6-5 in that tiebreaker, Federer erased a match point with a 127 mph service winner. Down 8-7—again, one point from losing—Federer hit a backhand passing winner.

Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) is co…
Getty Images - Jul 6, 6:29 pm EDT

A forehand winner put Federer ahead 9-8, and when Nadal missed a backhand return, the match was even. Federer jumped and screamed, and the crowd of about 15,000 joined him.

“Rafa keeps you thinking, and that’s what the best players do to each other in the end,” Federer said. “That’s what we both do to each other.”

It was their sixth Grand Slam final, already more than between any other pair of men in the 40-year Open era, and there could be several to follow. Federer is only 26, after all, and Nadal is 22. Federer has led the rankings for a record 231 consecutive weeks, and Nadal has been second for a record 154.

Nadal defeated Federer at the French Open en route to each of his championships there, in the 2005 semifinals and the past three finals, including a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 rout last month that was Federer’s most lopsided loss in 180 career Grand Slam matches.

But the Swiss star kept reminding everyone this week that he has had the upper hand on surfaces other than clay.

Not this time.

Spain's Rafael Nadal bites the…
AP - Jul 6, 5:48 pm EDT

Nadal lost to Federer in the 2006 Wimbledon final in four sets, and the 2007 final in five. Although the latter was certainly suspenseful, it featured neither the drama nor the all-around excellence of Sunday’s encounter, which ended at 9:15 p.m., when Federer pushed a forehand into the net on Nadal’s fourth match point.

Federer made clear afterward he was not pleased that play continued despite the low visibility at the end.

“It’s rough on me now, obviously, you know, to lose the biggest tournament in the world over maybe a bit of light,” he said.

Said Nadal: “In the last game, I didn’t see nothing.”

Both players figured that if Federer had broken back to 8-8 in the fifth, play would have been suspended until Monday because of darkness.

“It would have been brutal,” Federer said.

It didn’t happen. Nadal came through.

Afterward, the new champion was asked if it was the greatest match he’d ever played. Plenty of others around the grounds, including John McEnroe—whose five-set loss to Borg in 1980 gets many votes—already were calling it the greatest match they’d ever seen.

“I don’t know if it’s the best,” Nadal said.

Then he thought about it for a moment.

“Probably,” he continued. “Probably the best, yes.”

Nadal moves 545 points within reach of Federer after winning Wimbledon 2008. I think this might be the closest they ever got with the point system. Somehow I hope he beats Federer soon because I think it's time for a new world number one and who will be better than Rafael Nadal to take the crown?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like Federer no more, it's just time for new blood man. And if he carries on with the losing streak at the grand slam finals, he will definitely lose the throne. And I don't want any Djerks rising up there!! NOoo!! So yes, my best bet is on Rafael Nadal, no?!

Rafael Nadal crumbled to the ground in jubilation, acknowledging that he captured his first Wimbeldon title. The four hour plus (not including the 2 1/2 hours of rain delay) epic battle ended in spectacular fashion, as Nadal defeated 5-time defending Roger Federer 6-4,6-4,6-7,6-7,9-7. Not only did Nadal give his country yet another thing to celebrate (Spain, his native country, won Euro 2008 against Germany in June), but he kept Bjorn Borg's record safe (Borg won 6 straight Wimbeldon titles in his day). Nadal, instead of Federer, will now be mentioned in the same sentence as Borg, as he became the first since Bjorn to win both Wimbeldon and the French Open in the same year (Borg did so in 1980).

Nadal seemed in control after he took the first two sets in the match, but it turned out he was anything but. Federer fought back admirably, as he took the next two sets via a tiebreak situation. After losing the fourth set, it seemed that Nadal would be psychologically rattled after he took such a commanding lead. Only he, like Federer before him, battled back from adversity. He stuck with Federer throughout the final set, as the two went back and forth. If Nadal was to win he would have to break Federer's serve, which he had done three times previously in the match. He did for the final point of the game as he won his first Wimbeldon Grand Slam.

But first, are we feeling a little more rested, relaxed, and ready to go? Or did we turn into an ogre-like crankenstein heading back into the city when traffic became a little backed up on the LIE? Or on the Dan Ryan from New Buffalo or Holland? Don't tell us you let the residual cleanup from Harborfest get you grinding your molars coming in from the Cape? Shame on you. Life could be worse:

(That statement was about as deep as the puddles at SW19 today during the rain. Perhaps Daddy was right about the sun baking my brain.)

It was one for the record books, leaving Mr. Federer as one of the world's more despondent professional athletes this evening; we have a feeling he will bounce back, perhaps sooner than even he thinks. He has nothing to be ashamed of after today's epic match at Centre Court.

A big Princess grosgrain ribbon bow and congratulations to The Pirate, utterly charming as he clambered about the court after the win in his efforts to reach family members for an emotional hug before proceeding to the Royal Box to greet Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain.

He then had a bite of a late supper.

If you didn't see the Ladies' Singles presentation yesterday, here are the Williams sisters, Venus of course is on the left, Serena on the right.

For those who may not know, there are all manner of other championships determined in the weeks that are Wimbledon. Here, a sampling of a few, starting with Jana Novotna and Kathy Rinaldi , winners of the Ladies' Invitation Doubles title. (Some readers may recognize Ms. Rinaldi, having bumped into her at the Breakers, where she is a traveling pro.)

Wheelchair champions Ronald Vink and Robin Ammerlaan are seen above after receiving their trophy. What a wild week it has been!

Among those not making it to the Ladies' was top-seeded Ana Ivanovic, seen below in what has come to be known in some tennis fashion circles as "the dress from hell." Ivanovic's dress is an Adidas creation; they are her sponsor for this sort of thing.

Despite its loathsome qualities, at least to some, it is scheduled for yet another appearance, this one also a high-profile Grand Slam event, the US Open. What is a far more egregious crime to many (and TP is in sync with this school of thought), is the color of said garment. We give you Exhibit A:

Taupe? It must have taken an extraordinary amount of time and energy to come up with such a wretched color. Ms. Ivanovic is a lovely creature indeed, and she shines despite the muddy tone of the dress, but honestly Mr. Adidas. Is this the best you can do? More depressing is what occurs when you click on the 'Shop' link on Ms. Ivanovic's website; you are taken to the Tennis-Warehouse ecommerce site; what you see at the top of the page is this:

As the good folks at Down the Line Tennis note:

All you want is an originally designed, inspired and functional dress to wear for the final Grand Slams of the year and here's what they give you: The Wimbledon dress (above), in the required white with lilac piping around the neckline and arm holes, was supposedly inspired by flower petals but I'm thinking someone was eating lady fingers when they came up with the design. And for the US Open you're sporting the same dress but in some drab grey-brown moment (below). *Yawn* Even the proportions, most noticeably the length of the dress, seem awkward on you.

BTW, Down the Line is a must see for anyone favoring fashion + tennis, a wonderful read blending those two elements and more. Because we devoted a fair amount of coverage to Maria Sharapova and the now infamous Tennis Tuxedo (our capitalization) she wore at Wimbledon, we thought it only right we let you know Ms. Sharapova has recovered from the pain of that early departure from the tournament, at least on the surface of things.

Ms. Sharapova is seen above with Stella McCartney, at the London launch party for Ms. McCartney's organic line of clothing. Ms. Sharapova then made her way to Paris, seen below at Valentino's runway show for the 2009 Spring line (with friend Camilla Belle on the right).

If one is to believe Pro-Direct Tennis, the "Definitive Online Tennis Store", then this is what we'll see Ms. Sharapova wearing at Flushing Meadows, the Nike Sharapova US Open Day Dress:

The site also shows the dress in white, and offers both for pre-ordering. We're not comfortable stating definitively this is the dress Nike and Sharapova plan for the Open, but wanted to share the info and the images. The site does have something for those who favor the Adidas Ivanovic dress planned for the Open, a coordinating/matching warm-up pant, seen below. We have learned the color is not mud, nor taupe, but Lava Grey, and there are several coordinates in the group, as you would expect. Below we show the tennis skirt, also available for pre-ordering.

Finally tonight, a reminder the Lacoste sale is still going on:

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