Monday, July 7
Rafael Nadal,22, won epic men's final in five sets to win his first Wimbledon title and dethrones five-time champion at this tournament.
The final shot was struck in near darkness on Centre Court with dark clouds gathering overhead all through the match which lasted 4 hours and 48 minutes, the longest men's final in history and maybe the best one of all the times. It had to be interrupted twice because of the rain.
Watched by his parents, and coach and uncle, Tony, 22 year old fell to the floor, congratulated Federer and climbed through the stands to celebrate with his family and supporters. With tears in his eyes as he grabbed a Spanish flag, he walked across the TV commentators' booth heading to the Royal box to shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain.
After receiving the winner's trophy from the Duke of Kent, Nadal said:" It is impossible to explain what I felt in that moment but I'm very, very happy. "It is a dream to play in this court, my favourite tournament, but to win I never imagined"
Federer, who failed to surpass Bjorn Born by winning a sixth consecutive title said: "I tried everything, got a little late, but look, Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic. It was the worst opponent on the best court"
And Nadal replied:" He's still number one, he is still the best. He's still five-time champion and I am only one, so for me it is very, very important.
The final before 15,000 spectators was simply breathtaking.
