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ROGER FEDERER

Ten years on, Nadal looks back on ’emotional’ Wimbledon win over Federer

Ten years after out-duelling Roger Federer to win the greatest Wimbledon final, Rafael Nadal returns to the All England Club still basking in the warm glow of that epic encounter.

Ten years on, Nadal looks back on 'emotional' Wimbledon win over Federer
Spain's Rafael Nadal holds his trophy after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer at the 2008 Wimbledon championships. PHOTO: LEWIS WHYLD / POOL / AFP
After losing to Federer in successive Wimbledon finals, Nadal finally got the better of the Swiss star in a thrilling 2008 clash many regard as the finest ever to grace the hallowed Centre Court.
 
Nadal's 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (8/10), 9-7 victory was a defining moment for the Spaniard as it gave him a first Grand Slam crown away from his favoured clay at the French Open. The match marked the high point of a captivating rivalry between Nadal and Federer that played a huge role in tennis's resurgence as a multi-million-pound business.
 
For Nadal, the significance was far more personal. Aware of how important it was to legitimise himself by beating Federer at Wimbledon, Nadal went on to win on hard courts at the Australian and US Opens and emerged as one of the sport's all-time greats.
 
Nadal, now with 17 major titles on his CV, has arrived for next week's Wimbledon with the anniversary of his finest moment sparking happy memories.
 
“Of course in that moment, that final has been a very important step forward for me in my career,” he told a press conference at Wimbledon on Saturday. “I always have been very clear that it probably is one of the most emotional matches that I played in my career.”
 
“Yeah, everybody knows that for me to win here was one of my dreams,” Nadal continued. “After losing two finals, that final created a big impact in my tennis career. The personal satisfaction that tournament give to me is difficult to compare with other things. But, yes, it has been great.”
 
Nadal went onto win Wimbledon again in 2010 before a host of injury problems forced him to take a step back. He is back on top of the ATP rankings after winning an 11th French Open in June.
 
'I'm still here'
 
Asked what has changed since that golden evening against Federer, the 32-year-old said: “I'm older, more kilometres under my legs. In general terms, important things in life didn't change much. That's the real thing. 
 
“In terms of tennis, of course I had to adapt a little bit my game during that period of time. Today I see that final like a long time ago. But the good thing is I still here. I am happy for that.”
 
Nadal has won three of the last five Grand Slams, taking the French Open two years in a row and lifting the US Open trophy in 2017. Despite his strong form at Wimbledon in the first half of his career, Nadal hasn't been past the last 16 since 2011 after a series of shock defeats against players outside the top 100.
 
Nadal admits it is difficult for his aching knees to transition from clay to grass, but insists he can make a strong challenge for Federer's title over the next fortnight.
 
“Expectations are always high. I am not here to play the tournament; I am here to try to have a good result,” said Nadal, who opens against Israel's Dudi Sela in the first round.
 
“But it's true this is one of these events that you arrive here and you really don't have the previous feeling of how you feel, how you are playing. 
 
“It's nothing new; even when I won here, when I played five finals in a row. It's an event that you need to find your confidence during the tournament and during the practice the week before.
 
“For example, when I arrive to Roland Garros, I know more or less if I am playing well. I know where my chances are. In the US Open, little bit less, but still better than here.”
 
By AFP's Steven Griffiths
 

ROGER FEDERER

Is this the end of the road for Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer?

Roger Federer is talking optimistically about returning to his "highest level" after knee surgery, but does tennis have to start adjusting to a future without the Swiss star?

Is this the end of the road for Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer?
Is it the end of the line for Roger? Photo: Martin BUREAU / AFP

The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced on Wednesday that he would be sidelined until 2021 after his second operation in a matter of months.

Federer remains upbeat, tweeting: “I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level.”

In some ways 2020 is a good season to miss after the coronavirus ravaged the tennis schedule. Writing Federer off in the past has proved dangerous.

He returned from a six-month injury lay-off to claim the Australian Open in 2017, winning his eighth Wimbledon crown later that year.

But he will be 40 in 2021 and is now heading into uncharted territory.

Despite his groaning trophy cabinet, there are two factors that will motivate Federer to keep going — the risk of losing his grip on the men's Grand Slam title record and a missing Olympics singles gold medal.

Rafael Nadal has 19 majors, just one shy of Federer's mark and Djokovic has 17.

Spain's Nadal will be fancied to draw level with Federer at the French Open, rescheduled for September, while few would bet against Djokovic winning in New York weeks earlier.

In April, Federer said he was “devastated” when Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II. Last year he fell agonisingly short at the All England Club, failing to convert two championship points on his own serve against Djokovic.

The Wimbledon grass probably remains his best chance of adding to his Grand Slam collection — he has not won the US Open since 2008 and his only title at Roland Garros came in 2009.

Even though Federer has slipped from the very pinnacle of the game, he is still a major threat to Nadal and Djokovic.

'Golden' ambitions

Last year, the world number four had a 53-10 win-loss record and he reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January in his only tournament this year.

Federer, who is still six ATP titles short of Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109, has one glaring omission from his CV — the Olympic title.

The Swiss won doubles gold in Beijing in 2008 with compatriot Stan Wawrinka but lost in the singles final to Andy Murray in London four years later.

The postponed Tokyo Games will almost certainly be Federer's last opportunity to complete a career “golden” Grand Slam — he will turn 40 on the day of the closing ceremony next year.

Tennis will feel the loss of the elegant Federer keenly when he walks off the court for the last time.

Djokovic and Nadal have been the dominant forces in recent years but the Swiss remains the biggest draw and last month topped Forbes' list of the world's highest-earning athletes.

His last appearance on court was in front of nearly 52,000 fans — touted by organisers as a world record for tennis — at a charity match against Nadal in Cape Town in February.

Federer is nearly always the crowd favourite wherever he plays and has proved a perfect ambassador for the sport since he won his first Grand Slam title in 2003.

He certainly expects to be back and competitive next year.

“I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season,” he tweeted.

The avalanche of support from his adoring fans showed they would miss him too, but they will have to get used to a time when he is gone for good.

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