Raindrops fell not on Centre Court at Wimbledon today as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal battled with aching emotions and spent minds to achieve one goal: the Wimbledon trophy.
Had Nadal of won, spectators would have seen a common sight: the Spaniard taking a bite of the trophy.
Instead a kiss was only to be seen. One Roger places upon his trophy every time he wins.
Roger Federer tied Bjorn Borg for 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles today.
The game, I expect, will go down in tennis history.
Rafael Nadal came so close to snatching the dream away from Federer to pursue his own dreams of being the only man since Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.
I don't think in my 19 years and since I began watching tennis that I have seen such a close and fantastic match.
The Match:
In the first set Roger Federer, serving first, barely kept Nadal from winning. After a tiebreaker of 8-2, Federer won the set 7-6. In the second set Rafa took control winning 4-6. In the third set Federer again had trouble keeping the Spaniard from faulting. Federer did manage to win 7-6.
I was absolutely blown away by the fourth set. Nadal, after having problems with his leg, held 0-4 before winning 2-6. Federer began losing his composure. Never has he been pushed into a fifth set in a final.
But if anyone could break him, it would be Rafa. Nadal had two opportunities to break in the set but Federer eventually controlled his emotions to win. With tears and falling to the ground, Federer claimed that which was his.
I couldn't be prouder of these two guys. I wanted Nadal to win with all of my heart. I also wanted Federer to win the French.
It wasn't time.
But, the rivalry continues. And what a great rivalry it is. "I win my share. He wins his. It's a good rivalry, I think," Federer said.
It was nice to see the players so respectful after the match. Federer said that Nadal also deserved the win and Nadal said Federer is one of the best.
"I told Rafa at the net that he deserved to win," Federer said.
Nadal also said that "He [Federer] is very close to being the greatest player of all time…..His tennis is unbelievable."
Despite the fact that today was also a day of broken hearts and bitter-sweet memories; I think Rafa said it best: "These first moments – especially after you lose in the fifth set – are not easy. But I am a good loser. I accept the loss very well, and it doesn't affect me for more than a few hours. Tomorrow I will be happy about my tournament and my game."
Yes I'm disappointed in the results, but not in the players. I'm also happy with the results. It's a roller coaster ride to be honest. I had to go and hit a tennis ball around with my racquet just to relieve tension I felt from the game.
Wimbledon 2007 is over. It is but a memory. I can only imagine what next year will bring as World No. 1 Roger Federer and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal continue to breach each others' territories and claim new ground.
In less than two months they head to New York for the U.S. Open? Can Federer win there again or has Nadal realized that victory is within reach?
Time will tell.
This is probably my last Wimbledon blog. I may have comments later after my mind has rested but Wimbledon is over. I thank each of you who actually read these blogs and I hope you have seen that tennis is an amazing adventure. Keep checking because I have more to say as there are more games to play, more words to write, and as the rivalry continues.
Source: www.wimbledon.org.
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