Wednesday, 09 July 2008 00:00 | and posted in Sport
If you weren't watching the men's Wimbledon final on Sunday night, where were you?! OK, so I missed the Euro 2008 final, but that's not the point. It was the final everyone had wanted - the clay court king Rafael Nadal against the 5-time reigning Wimbledon champion Roger Federer. Both had a point to prove - Rafa that he wasn't a one-slam wonder (albeit 4 time winner and currently unbeaten at the French) and Federer that he wasn't ‘over' after his decidedly embarrassing defeat by Nadal at the French Open last month, and being beaten in the Australian Open semi's by world number 3 Djokovic.
It could so easily have been one of those anti-climatic finals that have been hyped up so much that it can never live up to expectations - fortunately it wasn't.
Nadal started better, played better and won the first two sets 6-4, 6-4, while Federer seemed a little at a loss as to how to beat the Spaniard. The treatment Federer normally metes out to exasperated opponents who throw their hands to the sky and give that ‘what can I do' look was being bestowed upon him by Nadal. Nadal chases down every single ball, what would be winners against any other player, with Nadal come back with interest. He makes opponents play that one more shot - then another, then another. To make the mighty Federer look almost pedestrian on his favourite surface is no easy task.
The third set looked to be going Nadal's way at 3-3 and 0-40 on Federer's serve. But you can never write a champion off that easily and Federer played a magnificent five points to win the game. It then went with serve until the heaven's opened and the rain came.
Federer was the one who benefited most from the rain delay, he came back onto court with the determination back in his step - and flowing from his racquet to take the third set to 6-6. The master of tie-breaks he took the third set and then the fourth set (both on tie-breaks), saving some championship points along the way with some magnificent serving and brave do-or-die winners that not even Nadal could return.
So on to the final set, momentum would appear to be with Federer. First the rain, then Nadal, had other ideas. Nadal had numerous break points throughout the final set but could not convert until game 15 making the scoreline 7-8 and leaving him the momentous task of serving for the title. Federer saved one more championship point but could not save the final one, netting his last forehand. Wimbledon had a new champion.
I have to confess to wanting Federer to win - what adjectives can describe his tennis that haven't already been written? He makes the tough shots look so easy, his graceful footwork, his command of the court and he is a likable number one. Six consecutive Wimbledon wins to beat the great Borg's record would have been a fitting feat for such a champion. But I don't entirely grudge Nadal the win, he was the better player on the day and he also is a joy to watch with his absolute commitment and determination, and his ability to pull off some amazing shots. If Federer had to lose his 65 match winning streak on grass, then I am glad it was to a great player like Nadal.
Was it the greatest final in history? Perhaps if Federer had won I would say yes! But it was 5 hours of fantastic tennis. Is Federer's reign at the top over? No, not quite, though Rafa will be number 1 one day, perhaps even one day this year. Rafa deserves to reach number one, but I wouldn't write Federer off too quickly from that top spot.
Oh, btw, Venus won the battle of the Williams' sisters in the women's final, beating Serena 7-5, 6-4 to win her fifth Wimbledon singles title. Venus is now one of four women to have won this trophy five or more times within the modern era. A couple of hours after finishing their singles final, Venus and Serena played and won the Ladies Doubles, white-washing their opponents 6-2, 6-2. See, there was other tennis happening other than the Men's final...