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Nadal Beats Federer to Win an Epic Wimbledon Final

news.bbc.co.uk — Rafael Nadal held off an incredible fightback from Roger Federer to win his first Wimbledon title and end the Swiss star's reign at the All England Club. Nadal, 22, is the the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.

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  • danh42, on 07/06/2008, -10/+77brilliant match!!!
  • trumpcard, on 07/06/2008, -4/+50Reminded me of Agassi Vs Sampras finals.
    • DannyDriffs, on 08/25/2008, -0/+3Much better!
    • novenator, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2How close it was was familiar. This one outclassed the former however, as watching a serve and volley player is never as entertaining as full court play.
  • geniusNOTatWORK, on 07/06/2008, -3/+80the tie breaker after the 4th set was incredible. i was rooting for Federer to keep his streak but after 4 and a half hours, either one deserved a win.
    • yokel, on 07/06/2008, -1/+21yeah..the tie breaker was amazing. Federer did an amazing job of coming back from 5-2 in favor of Nadal.
    • thewalkrecords, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4After that tie brake I thought Federer would win, but...
    • 1Bad, on 07/06/2008, -1/+7I was rooting for Federer as well but was so happy to see Nadal win because it was such an epic battle and he was very deserving. What a roller coaster ride though, by the time it was over I felt like crying too! .
  • TheAssuager, on 07/06/2008, -118/+5WHO CARES!
    • Shadic, on 07/06/2008, -2/+34Then don't click Diggs related to tennis, dumbass.
    • corporalclegg24, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2NOT ME!
      • TheAssuager, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1minus 100 diggs what!? thanks for the support kevin...
      • corporalclegg24, on 07/20/2008, -0/+1alex has 100 accounts duh
  • uscfan7690, on 07/06/2008, -1/+51Such a superb match. They both played with such tenacity.
  • matthewjones1, on 07/06/2008, -7/+34I wish Federer had won, but never mind! Well done Nadal...
    • randombystander, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1same here. having 6 in a row at wimbledon would have been amazing
    • bhdakanat, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3I just want him to win 3 more titles. Then he'd have won more than Sampres.
      • novenator, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2agreed. Sampras was NOT a good ambassador for the sport and his serve and volley play was boring to watch. Federer has the full package and doesn't abuse his serving power
  • canewediggit, on 07/06/2008, -1/+55got a good laugh at mac's attempted hug of federer. roger really didn't look like he wanted that.
    • veganpa, on 07/06/2008, -1/+5Me too! Good catch -- it was hysterical. Mac was reduced to ranting.
    • swraman, on 07/07/2008, -1/+2But you have to feel sorry for Fed in those moments, as he left Mac he was shedding tears.
  • Trav3133, on 07/06/2008, -69/+9wish federer would of won. spanish people are annoying.
  • ogmak, on 07/06/2008, -6/+75Longest game every in Wimbledon history, and 4 championship point opportunities...truly the most exciting game I've ever seen.
    • borninda818, on 07/06/2008, -1/+28Longest final match***
    • drewman14, on 07/06/2008, -6/+1Longest game? You surely missed the 5 hour 5-setter from quater-finals?
    • braeden0613, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4it was the longest match in final history...not wimbledon
    • L0U15, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6Ivanisevic's win in 2001 still edges it for me on a purely emotional basis, but this had better tennis technically speaking.
  • yokel, on 07/06/2008, -5/+24One of the best matches I've seen! Epic! Well done Nadal!
    • bingostud722, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Very true, both are amazing sports when it comes to both winning and losing.
  • Flea08, on 07/06/2008, -4/+58Greatest tennis match I have ever seen.
  • Juice7, on 07/06/2008, -4/+20Amazing job Rafa...couldn't have happened to a better guy.
  • Sevfan, on 07/06/2008, -1/+35That was such an amazing joy to watch. I love how passionate this sport is. All these feelings well up inside when such titans clash. Raving joy...anger...excitement...sadness. I cheered myself hoarse for Roger - never thought I'd do that after rooting against him previously when he played Sampras or Agassi. Jesus that was awesome. So emotional at the end. I love football, but it can never approach the intimacy of tennis. It makes it SO intense. My heart is still pounding out of my chest. I wish tennis would receive the acclaim it so truly deserves.
    • mickstephenson, on 07/06/2008, -2/+11When you say football do you mean the beautiful game or retarded armour-rugby?
  • jveezy, on 07/06/2008, -1/+51Without a doubt in my mind this is the greatest match ever. This is a match you tell your children about. I was watching when Nadal finally beat Federer at Wimbledon. If I could see another match in my lifetime that even comes close to that level of excitement I will be very grateful. Here's to a future of more fantastic matches between these two fantastic players!
  • darkchild82, on 07/06/2008, -1/+33What a match! Nearly 5hrs long... I was rooting for Federer because I wanted him to break Bjorn Borg's record but at the end, you just couldn't say Nadal didn't deserve to win! Fantastic match and what a year for Spain! First Football and now Tennis :-)
  • bizarrorollins, on 07/06/2008, -1/+29I was cheering for Roger the whole way through. I couldn't stand hearing all the negative press that he was getting after the French Open about how he had lost a step. It seemed like everyone was calling for a Rafa victory before the first ball hit grass. That said, both played an amazing match and without a doubt gave it everything they had.

    It was definitely a match that deserves the "epic" tag.
  • mfkdslaf, on 07/06/2008, -2/+6only 2 words can describe the it : Great Game!! so much was a t steak and rafa had more energy in the end but it wouldnt suprise me if Federer can back blazing next year!
    • alanr19, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5true. federer is only 26. in mens tennis thats not old.

      but then again nadal is only 22, and getting better.
      • Iztikeit, on 07/06/2008, -2/+226 in mens tennis is pretty old. Constantly jarring your body with sudden jolts and stops is the worst thing one could do to their leg joints. There's a reason Agassi's Australia Open win is so glorified.

        Federer has obviously gone downhill. There was a time (two years ago) where Federer looked like he'd never lose another Wimbledon.
      • coldfusion1970, on 07/06/2008, -1/+3I'd prefer to think that Nadal has stepped up his game.
  • Rust, on 07/06/2008, -1/+20I really wanted Federer to win, but Nadal has literally waited 5 years for this moment so he probably deserves it more.
    • borninda818, on 07/06/2008, -0/+11They both deserved it. I just wanted Federer to win so much. I like the way he caries himself and his class.
    • Iztikeit, on 07/06/2008, -3/+0He hasn't waited 5 years for this moment. He's had unlimited potential since he was a teenager but he hasn't been playing top tier tennis until about 3 years ago.

      But, as we speak, Nadal > Federer
      • jcannonb, on 07/06/2008, -3/+2FAIL --- He has 4 french open titles, how does that equate to 3 years? You don't win any slam let alone the French, the most physically grueling unless you play top tier tennis.
      • Iztikeit, on 07/07/2008, -1/+0Winning the French and losing terribly at every other grand slam doesn't mean you are playing on the same level as Federer, which was my point. He stated it as if he had been waiting patiently for Federer to finally lose a final at Wimbledon when that isn't the case.

        I didn't win any slam? I'm not sure how you took offense to what I said but I'm sure it has something to do with the size of either your brain or.....
  • RegularJohn, on 07/06/2008, -3/+39The game was simply wonderful. Almost 5 hours long!
    • toaofrizell, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6Longest Wimbledon final ever, well done Nadal
      • onestrawplz, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2he's also the first player since bjorn borg to win the french open and wimbledon back to back.

        i personally wanted federer to win, but i'm happy for nadal. he really deserved it and that match was great.
  • javin666, on 07/06/2008, -2/+21The highest quality tennis I've ever seen.
  • alanr19, on 07/06/2008, -14/+11Where does this leave american men's tennis?

    Why are we routinely getting our asses handed to us by Europeans in this sport?
    • snoogit, on 07/06/2008, -2/+14Because in America, if you can't get an athletic scholarship to play it, its not worth playing.
    • coopaloop, on 07/06/2008, -5/+9For the most part, I think Ameican's lack the intensity it takes to compete at the level of Nadal. Plus, the fact that the best athletes in Europe are playing tennis while here everyone is playing basketball and football.
      • SirFoxx, on 07/07/2008, -3/+1Don't worry, someone will come along after Sampras to pick up the slack. I'll settle for having the best of all time in Sampras for now.
    • Seph7, on 07/06/2008, -3/+15Oh yea I mean it's such a shock with you being so superior and all.
    • eatasandwich, on 07/06/2008, -2/+30Call it "World Series Tennis" and only have Americans taking part.
    • MrSkills, on 07/06/2008, -2/+13"the best athletes in Europe are playing tennis while here everyone is playing basketball and football"

      You make it sound like everyone just plays Tennis in Europe. Tennis is no bigger a sport in Europe than it is in America, and there are just as many more popular sports, so this is not a valid explanation.

      The U.S. had years of being dominant with Sampras etc. It just so happens that there are some big European players at the moment. These things come in waves.
      • mickstephenson, on 07/06/2008, -1/+5Not all things, British tennis *scratch that* British sport is a consistent disappointment.
      • swraman, on 07/07/2008, -0/+4um...tennis is much more popular in Euripe than in America. Thats just how it is.
        Look at how many spaniards will be partying all night b/c of this match. If an american was good enough to win, most Americans would only care enough to change the channel so they could watch domestic sports like football, basketball.
    • m1a2c2kali, on 07/06/2008, -7/+2i just think its a cycle... eventually another american will come along and kick ass
    • Opethian, on 07/06/2008, -2/+13The arrogance of this comment sums it all up.
      • alanr19, on 07/06/2008, -14/+3Up yours pal. It is surprising that we are not no.1 in tennis. Its not arrogance just fact, we are no. 1 at everything else.

        The USA = The greatest nation on earth.
      • inefekt, on 07/07/2008, -0/+5Now THAT'S arrogance.
  • CenturionMonkey, on 07/06/2008, -2/+15They both played an amazing match. Like the commentators said, it was probably the greatest match in history. Both players were at the top of their game (mostly) and it was just a thrill to watch. Nadal deserves it, however, I think if Federer didn't drop serve to make it 8-7 he would have won. But he did and Nadal won, and he deserves it. You could tell just how happy he was when he won.
  • whazdown, on 07/06/2008, -1/+8Probably the best final of all time, some of the shots / returns from both players were simply brilliant. Even with all the rain breaks and fading light, both players were fantastic.
    • coopaloop, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4If the match would have been suspended because of light, the sports world would have been all over Wimbledon. Why don't they just put in some ***** lights like on every other tennis court in the world?
    • SirFoxx, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1It equals Borg vs. McEnroe and Conners vs. McEnroe.
  • colonelbuckshot, on 07/06/2008, -0/+28What a game. Both players played like champions, it was a shame one had to lose.
    • Archimboldo, on 07/07/2008, -0/+4It was amazing. The sportsmanship was also great. Very refreshing and very unlike some other sports such as Basketbrawl.
  • ironeus, on 08/01/2008, -11/+52 powerhouse players. Federer having an opportunity to match Borg's record was exciting but youth took it away.
    • DLRULZ, on 07/06/2008, -1/+8I think he had an opportunity to beat his record, they were tied at 5.
  • spony99, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6anyone else notice how gwen stefani thought the match went about two sets too long. she didnt appreciate the match as much as rossdale who was fist pump to fist pump with federer's girlfriend

    ...and the match was commercial free on bbc. was it the same on nbc?
    • snoogit, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5No, but it was funny to see NBC try to sneak commercials in.
    • Chicken, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2It was horrible. NBC would go back to wimbledon for like 10 seconds to show you the rain on the courts and then back to commercials for 2 min.
    • novenator, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1welcome to the increasing commercialization of our media. tv shows in america used to be 55 minutes out of each hour (only 5 minutes of commercials), this ratio changed to 50/10, and is now 42/18. I guess we need more convining to buy more ***** we don't need
  • DLRULZ, on 07/06/2008, -4/+7A lot of people were saying Feder was done, but after watching how it took Nadal everything he had to beat Fed I think those people have been proven wrong.
  • gnews, on 07/06/2008, -2/+6Awesome battle of the titans!
  • Niz1, on 07/06/2008, -2/+9Nadal showed a lot more skill in this match he truly deserved to win, he came to Championship point 3 times and on the third he finally did it what a battle it was more intense than any football match, yes i said it, they were pretty much neck and neck on the three sets and break points.

    you cant ask for a more intense final.
  • Xihix, on 07/06/2008, -2/+3He played the first two sets great, and came pretty close in the third and fourth. The two played an amazing game overall, but I really was hoping for Nadal to win the entire time.
  • Linkkill, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4This was an amazing match to see, this is tennis at its best. Federer played an amazing match but Nadal deserved it! Well done Nadal!
  • xrEE, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7Amazing match. Nadal really gave everything into that win, incredible play by both players. But it really is Spains year.
  • 333cale, on 07/06/2008, -1/+9Absolute kudos.

    The greatest and longest Gentlemen's Singles Wimbledon Final in history - and Rafael Nadal is the well deserved champion.
  • Flea08, on 07/06/2008, -2/+12Stupid rain delays..... Definitely worth spending all day watch this though.
  • fak3r, on 07/06/2008, -16/+4Did anyone else read that as 'Nader Beats Federer...'? I had visions of Ralph Nader with a head sweatband hoisting the trophy.
  • theexitwound, on 07/06/2008, -2/+9I was on the edge of my seat for all five hours!
  • leapius, on 07/06/2008, -10/+6Really great to watch this match. I don't think Federer was really top of his game though - he's played much better than that. If he was top of his game Nadal would not have beaten him. Federer just has more natural effortless talent that Nadal can only try to make up with huge efforts in training and practice. Don't forget Federer has glandular fever this year and that takes it out of you for months after you're better from it believe me. Federer looked tired most of that match to me but still it took Nadal 100% to _just_ beat him.
    • SirFoxx, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1Whatever. Nadal beat him because he is ascending to top now.

      BTW, Sampras in his prime would have destroyed Federer. 7 Wimbledon's in 8 years. That to me is more impressive than 5 in a row.
    • smallnshort247, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1wrong, i think federer was the same federer that he has been. nadal just worked really hard for this win, and thats why he came out on top..CONGRATS RAFA!
    • mike4444r, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1You are exactly right. Federer really wasn't at the top of his game throughout the whole match. He had flashes, and that's what kept it close, but Nadal was the better player yesterday. Don't think Federer will have many more off days though. It's scary how hard he works already, imagine now the motivation he has.
  • soupcancooloff, on 07/06/2008, -4/+33Interesting Match Statistic: Total Points won by Nadal: 209; Federer 204
    http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/stats/day14/ ...
    • biddows, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2Just goes to show how close it was. And but for the number of unforced errors, it could have gone the other way. It really is as simple as that. I thought Fed was down and out after the first two sets, but he came back tremendously. A great match between two great players. The emotion afterwards was palpable on both sides: Nadal jubilant, Fed dejected. And to think, we all thought last year's final was one of the best ever!
    • novenator, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1thx. always interesting to analyze a great match after its done
  • virtualonliner, on 07/06/2008, -8/+4Gosh! I missed it. What an idiot I am! Gotta catch the recording soon.
    • elemmeno, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4It's being replayed on ESPN Classic tomorrow (Monday). Sorry, don't know what time.
    • novenator, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1we could use a second replay of it. its worth it
  • LordoftheLoo, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7Federer stayed cool the whole match, even after going down 2 sets. He may of lost but this match furthers shows that he is the real deal.
  • kayodus, on 07/06/2008, -2/+5Federer is still the number 1. despite this loss, he still remains for me one of the greatest tennis players in the modern era the game has ever produced. Congrats Rafa
    • Xihix, on 07/06/2008, -2/+3Nadal isn't too far behind in points. I think he'll overtake him.
  • alexkball, on 07/06/2008, -1/+11In all honesty the best match I have ever seen.
  • AlexWiggy, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4Crazily good match, I'm fairly sure I may be considered insane from the amount I shouting at the TV.
  • yelnatz, on 07/06/2008, -2/+8Both of them deserved it.
  • webomatik, on 07/06/2008, -13/+1The King has left the court
  • vlaciu, on 07/06/2008, -6/+1The surface they played on was slower than last year. This made it easier for Nadal. Anyone bets who's the US Open favorite?
    • Atheuz, on 07/06/2008, -3/+3Federer, Nadal sucks in US Open.
    • devilsanthem, on 07/06/2008, -3/+2I'll second that. Federer will always be my favorite.
    • smallnshort247, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1why are you guys trying to bring nadal down? give him credit..he beat federer on grass because today he was a better player. lets worry about the u.s open later..
      • Atheuz, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1I'm not trying to bring Nadal down, I honestly think he's one of the best players in the world, but that doesn't change the fact that he sucks in US Open, seriously he only gotten to Quarter Finals in 2006 and did even worse than that in 2007.
  • gonzoceltic, on 07/06/2008, -4/+12This match says a lot about Federer . . . It took Nadal everything he had -- and more -- to win this.
    • DLRULZ, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1Where have I seen that comment before? Oh yeah the ESPN homepage.
      • birdman33, on 07/07/2008, -1/+0OK, and that adds to the conversation how?
  • SirChavez, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6By far one of the most exhilarating matches I have ever seen. Despite watching the match through my television, the tension at Centre Court was palpable. I can only imagine what it must have been like to witness this epic upset in person. Rafa winning Wimbledon was inevitable, but I didn't expect it to come this soon. Kudos to Roger and Rafael for an amazing display of tennis prowess, proving why they are the two best male tennis players around right now.
  • devilsanthem, on 07/06/2008, -2/+6I was hoping he'd keep up his streak. I was tired of the commentators starting to count Federer out already. He's still in his prime, he's just not having a good year.
    • smallnshort247, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2no worries mate..federer will probably be back winning more and more in the years to come
  • Bkaufman, on 07/06/2008, -1/+10Just awesome....I hope maybe more Americans will watch this great sport now.
    • Kanele, on 07/06/2008, -3/+4Americans watch tennis, hell they watch anything with ads breaks
    • swraman, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1I hope so. Nadals getting pretty popular in the states
    • swraman, on 07/07/2008, -1/+0even one of my gamer friends who doesnt follow any sports IMd me during the match and said it was intense :P
    • Gregus1032, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1I completely forgot it was on. =/
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