Nadal Beats Federer To Win Wimbledon Title In Five-Set Thriller

Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer’s five-year reign at Wimbledon on Sunday, winning a riveting, five-set marathon to claim his first title at the All England Club and signal a changing of the guard in men’s tennis.

Nadal held off a stirring comeback by Federer from two sets down to prevail 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. He became the first man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Bjorn Borg in 1980.

Nadal, the first Spaniard to win Wimbledon since Manolo Santana in 1966, avenged his losses to Federer in the last two finals here and snapped the Swiss star’s All England Club winning streak at 40 matches and overall grass-court run at 65.

The rain-delayed match ended in near darkness after four hours 48 minutes of play — the longest men’s final in Wimbledon history — when Federer slapped a forehand into the net on Nadal’s fourth match point and second of the game.

Nadal fell onto his back in exhilaration at the baseline. With his shirt caked with turf, he congratulated Federer and climbed into the players’ box to embrace his entourage. He had tears in his eyes as he grabbed a Spanish flag and walked across the television commentators’ booth to the edge of the Royal Box to shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain.

“It’s impossible to explain what I felt in that moment,” Nadal said after receiving the winner’s trophy from the Duke of Kent. “Just very, very happy to win this title. For me, (it) is a dream to play in this tournament. But to win, I never imagined something like this.”

Federer, who converted only one of 13 break points in the match, fell short in his bid to set two landmarks: He failed to surpass Bjorn Borg by winning a sixth consecutive title or equal Willie Renshaw’s record of six in a row from 1881-86.

“I tried everything,” Federer said. “Rafa is a deserving champion. He just played fantastic. It was the worst opponent on the best court.”

Nadal won his fifth Grand Slam title, adding to his four consecutive French Open championships. Federer, meanwhile, remains two shy of Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam wins.

“He’s still No. 1,” Nadal said. “He’s still the best. He’s still five-time champion here and I only have one, so for me it is very, very important.”

Watching it all from the front row of the Royal Box was the silver-haired Borg, who won 41 straight Wimbledon matches during his 1976-80 title runs.

As Nadal and Federer battled through the fifth set in fading light, they were like two heavyweights going toe-to-toe in the late rounds of a title fight. The intensity and quality of the match recalled the 1980 final between Borg and John McEnroe, which the Swede won in the fifth set after losing an 18-16 tiebreaker.

McEnroe, a three-time Wimbledon champion and a television commentator at this tournament, called Sunday’s final the “greatest match I’ve ever seen.”

Nadal, who has won 24 straight matches, extended his career record against Federer to 11-6, but it was only his third win in six against him on a surface other than clay. Nadal had lost in the last two Wimbledon finals to Federer.

Sunday’s epic victory was Nadal’s second straight over Federer in a Grand Slam final — and this time on the champion’s favourite court and surface. Nadal crushed Federer in last month’s French Open final, losing only four games.

Federer, playing in his 16th Grand Slam final, had reached this title match without dropping a set but ran into a player who muscled him around the court for the first two sets with his punishing topspin forehand and refused to buckle in the face of an amazing comeback.

Federer, who saved two match points in the fourth set tiebreaker, came oh-so-close to becoming the first player to overcome a two-set deficit in a Wimbledon men’s final since 1927, when Henri Cochet beat Jean Borotra.

Federer also nearly became the first man in 60 years to win the title after saving a match point in the final — Bob Falkenburg beat John Bromwich in 1948 after saving three match points at 3-5 in the fifth set.

Wimbledon Men’s Final Results

2008 — Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7.
2007 — Roger Federer def. Rafael Nadal, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2.
2006 — Roger Federer def. Rafael Nadal, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3.
2005 — Roger Federer def. Andy Roddick, 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
2004 — Roger Federer def. Andy Roddick, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
2003 — Roger Federer def. Mark Philippoussis, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3).
2002 — Lleyton Hewitt def. David Nalbandian, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
2001 — Goran Ivanisevic def. Pat Rafter, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7.
2000 — Pete Sampras def. Pat Rafter, 6-7 (10), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2.
1999 — Pete Sampras def. Andre Agassi, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
1998 — Pete Sampras def. Goran Ivanisevic, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (9), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
1997 — Pete Sampras def. Cedric Pioline, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
1996 — Richard Krajicek def. MaliVai Washington, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
1995 — Pete Sampras def. Boris Becker, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
1994 — Pete Sampras def. Goran Ivanisevic, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-0.
1993 — Pete Sampras def. Jim Courier, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-3.
1992 — Andre Agassi def. Goran Ivanisevic, 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
1991 — Michael Stich def. Boris Becker, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-4.
1990 — Stefan Edberg def. Boris Becker, 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4.
1989 — Boris Becker def. Stefan Edberg, 6-0, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
1988 — Stefan Edberg def. Boris Becker, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-2.
1987 — Pat Cash def. Ivan Lendl, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-5.
1986 — Boris Becker def. Ivan Lendl, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.
1985 — Boris Becker def. Kevin Curren, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-4.
1984 — John McEnroe def. Jimmy Connors, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.
1983 — John McEnroe def. Chris Lewis, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
1982 — Jimmy Connors def. John McEnroe, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-4.
1981 — John McEnroe def. Bjorn Borg, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-4.
1980 — Bjorn Borg def. John McEnroe, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16), 8-6.
1979 — Bjorn Borg def. Roscoe Tanner, 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
1978 — Bjorn Borg def. Jimmy Connors, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
1977 — Bjorn Borg def. Jimmy Connors, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.
1976 — Bjorn Borg def. Ilie Nastase, 6-4, 6-2, 9-7.
1975 — Arthur Ashe def. Jimmy Connors, 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.
1974 — Jimmy Connors def. Ken Rosewall, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4.
1973 — Jan Kodes def. Alex Metreveli, 6-1, 9-8, 6-3.
1972 — Stan Smith def. Ilie Nastase, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
1971 — John Newcombe def. Stan Smith, 6-3, 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
1970 — John Newcombe def. Ken Rosewall, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
1969 — Rod Laver def. John Newcombe, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
1968 — Rod Laver def. Tony Roche, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
1967 — John Newcombe def. Wilhelm Bungert, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.
1966 — Manolo Santana def. Dennis Ralston, 6-4, 11-9, 6-4.
1965 — Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
1964 — Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle, 6-4, 12-10, 4-6, 6-3.
1963 — Chuck McKinley def. Fred Stolle, 9-7, 6-1, 6-4.
1962 — Rod Laver def. Martin Mulligan, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.
1961 — Rod Laver def. Chuck McKinley, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
1960 — Neale Fraser def. Rod Laver, 6-4, 3-6, 9-7, 7-5.
1959 — Alex Olmedo def. Rod Laver, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
1958 — Ashley Cooper def. Neale Fraser, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 13-11.
1957 — Lew Hoad def. Ashley Cooper, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
1956 — Lew Hoad def. Ken Rosewall, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
1955 — Tony Trabert def. Kurt Nielsen, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1.
1954 — Jaroslav def. Drobny Ken Rosewall, 13-11, 4-6, 6-2, 9-7.
1953 — Vic Seixas def. Kurt Nielsen, 9-7, 6-3, 6-4.
1952 — Frank Sedgman def. Jaroslav Drobny, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
1951 — Dick Savitt def. Ken McGregor, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
1950 — Budge Patty def. Frank Sedgman, 6-1, 8-10, 6-2, 6-3.
1949 — Fred Schroeder def. Jaroslav Drobny, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
1948 — Bob Falkenburg def. John Bromwich, 7-5, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.
1947 — Jack Kramer def. Tom Brown, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
1946 — Yvon Petra def. Geoff Brown, 6-2, 6-4, 7-9, 5-7, 6-4.
1940-45 — No tournament, World War II
1939 — Bobby Riggs def. Elwood Cooke, 2-6, 8-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
1938 — Don Budge def. Bunny Austin, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3.
1937 — Don Budge def. Gottfried von Cramm, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
1936 — Fred Perry def. Gottfried von Cramm, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0.
1935 — Fred Perry def. Gottfried von Cramm, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
1934 — Fred Perry def. Jack Crawford, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5.
1933 — Jack Crawford def. Ellsworth Vines, 4-6, 11-9, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
1932 — Ellsworth Vines def. Bunny Austin, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0.
1931 — Sidney Wood def. Frank Shields, walkover.
1930 — Bill Tilden def. Wilmer Allison, 6-3, 9-7, 6-4.
1929 — Henri Cochet def. Jean Borotra, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
1928 — Rene Lacoste def. Henri Cochet, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
1927 — Henri Cochet def. Jean Borotra, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
1926 — Jean Borotra def. Howard Kinsey 8-6, 6-1, 6-3.
1925 — Rene Lacoste def. Jean Borotra, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 8-6.
1924 — Jean Borotra def. Rene Lacoste, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
1923 — Bill Johnston def. Frank Hunter, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1.
1922 — Gerald Patterson def. Randolph Lycett, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
1921 — Bill Tilden def. Brian Norton, 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5.
1920 — Bill Tilden def. Gerald Patterson, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
1919 — Gerald Patterson def. Norman Brookes, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.
1915-18 — No tournament, World War I
1914 — Norman Brookes def. Tony Wilding, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
1913 — Tony Wilding def. Maurice McLoughlin, 8-6, 6-3, 10-8.
1912 — Tony Wilding def. Arthur Gore, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
1911 — Tony Wilding def. Herbert Barrett, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, retired.
1910 — Tony Wilding def. Arthur Gore, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
1909 — Arthur Gore def. Josiah Ritchie, 6-8, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
1908 — Arthur Gore def. Herbert Barrett, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
1907 — Norman Brookes def. Arthur Gore, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4.
1906 — Laurie Doherty def. Frank Riseley, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
1905 — Laurie Doherty def. Norman Brookes, 8-6, 6-2, 6-4.
1904 — Laurie Doherty def. Frank Riseley, 6-1, 7-5, 8-6.
1903 — Laurie Doherty def. Frank Riseley, 7-5, 6-3, 6-0.
1902 — Laurie Doherty def. Arthur Gore, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
1901 — Arthur Gore def. Reggie Doherty, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
1900 — Reggie Doherty def. Sidney Smith, 6-8, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
1899 — Reggie Doherty def. Arthur Gore, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
1898 — Reggie Doherty def. Laurie Doherty, 6-3, 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1.
1897 — Reggie Doherty def. Harold Mahoney, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
1896 — Harold Mahoney def. Wilfred Baddeley, 6-2, 6-8, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3.
1895 — Wilfred Baddeley def. Wilberforce Eaves, 4-6, 2-6, 8-6, 6-2, 6-3.
1894 — Joshua Pim def. Wilfred Baddeley, 10-8, 6-2, 8-6.
1883 — Joshua Pim def. Wilfred Baddeley, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
1892 — Wilfred Baddeley def. Joshua Pim, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
1891 — Wilfred Baddeley def. Joshua Pim, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0.
1890 — Willoughby Hamilton def. Willie Renshaw, 6-8, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
1889 — Willie Renshaw def. Ernest Renshaw, 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0.
1888 — Ernest Renshaw def. Herbert Lawford, 6-3, 7-5, 6-0.
1887 — Herbert Lawford def. Ernest Renshaw, 1-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
1886 — Willie Renshaw def. Herbert Lawford, 6-0, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
1885 — Willie Renshaw def. Herbert Lawford, 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
1884 — Willie Renshaw def. Herbert Lawford, 6-0, 6-4, 9-7.
1883 — Willie Renshaw def. Ernest Renshaw, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
1882 — Willie Renshaw def. Ernest Renshaw, 6-1, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
1881 — Willie Renshaw def. John Hartley, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1.
1880 — John Hartley def. Herbert Lawford, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
1879 — John Hartley def. V. St.Leger Gould, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
1878 — Frank Hadow def. Spencer Gore, 7-5, 6-1, 9-7.
1877 — Spencer Gore def. William Marshall, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

Photo Credit: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images