Where does Sunday's epic rank in the pantheon of great Wimbledon finals? < Back to Story
Where does Sunday's epic rank in the pantheon of great Wimbledon finals? < Back to Story
Pictures from day one at SW19 as the Grand Slam tournament gets under way.
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Comments (92)
James Vargeson says...
Fantastic final. A couple of tie-breakers to rival the epic Mcenroe v Borg classic. Nadal a deserved victor through his greater consistency and more concrete game plan to get the job done (hitting the Federer backhand). However, have we all forgotten the epic 2001 Ivanesevic v Rafter 5 setter? The last final between two traditional serve/volleyers, a party atmosphere and an emotional win. That surely has to make the shortlist, no?
Posted 17:58 7th July 2008
Vio Fazakerley says...
Firstly, I want to congratulate both men for making sundays final one of the best sporting spectacles of all time. It had Everything! This was the final the tennis world hard been anitcipating and licking their lips for, since last years final at Wimbledon! The build up was huge! There was immense pressure on both players to produce a match that represented the best of modern tennis...and they delivered...and then some...and then some more. I was a nervous wreck, spectating, throughtout the gripping encounter...as it really could of gone either way. Even at 2 sets down...I still felt Federer had a chance, because of his pride...this being his second home...his patch, which he would defend with his life...and the fact that Nadal would at some point had to show some nerves...having never been in this situation at wimbledon. He is only human after all. Everyone was aware of the momentous significance of this final, and the was history to be made. A landmark in the modern game. Supposedly the changing of the Guard. I'm not totally convinced Federer is ready to relinquish his number one ranking...and the computer will back him up, but that is no consolation for a heartbreaking defeat. Nadal has to perform this high level throughout the season, which will get harder for him, as we enter the hardcourt season...his least favoured surface. Federer has the oppurtunity to show us what he is really made of...as Nadal can push him to further greatness. It's not over yet! The tennis world has to cherish these warriors for not only reinventing the game with there amazing skills, but in the way they conduct themselves. They embody everything we admire in our heros. Skill, power, ambition, courage, passion, determination, desire and class! Without question the best tennis match of all time!!!
Posted 17:56 7th July 2008
Christine Seddon says...
Nadel was the far better player,he deserved to win GOODBYE federa . Thank you rafa for making the best final ever, hope to see you in lots more finels
Posted 16:31 7th July 2008
Prabu Ranganathan says...
Hey, I was not even watching it live.I was just following ATP scorecard live. right till the end- rain not withstanding. This was the most memorable final after Borg vs McEnroe. Sorry pl dont try to rate them.cause they come once in a quarter century! And enjoy. This was definitely better.cause JM commented live! and you cant have it other way.Can you?
Posted 15:39 7th July 2008
Ade Akula says...
It was an epic final...I thought both players were extremely graceful in victory and in defeat. In short there were 2 champions there yesterday. I doubt if it was the best finals ever, I really do because fiirst 2 sets were rather one-sided. Definitively not the best tennis match of the decade or best match ever .. Unless you didn't see Agassi v Samparas US 7-6,6-7,7-6, 6-7, 7-6 for smapras last US open title or Nadal V federer 2006 French open final were Federer took Nadal to the limit winning 1st set 6-1 and losing the 4th on a tie break from 4-1 up. That said , last night was a great final .. looking forward to that again at the US open
Posted 15:12 7th July 2008
Mike Luff says...
Emeka Nwankwo talks of drama, the rain the Federer comeback etc it cetainly had that. And Lloyd Ledgister talks of each great final being looked at in "its own time period"; a very valid point. Nadal v Ferderer 2008 was one of the best tennis matches I have seen for a long time, edge of the seat viewing hence a Great Final and as Jennifer Hampson says this gripping viewing and emotional finish is what a great final should be about. Finally although Roger Federer has been at the top for a few years and was looking for a sixth in a row I think on the Day Rafa Nadal had the edge and deserved to Win. Congrats to you both for such a great match to watch; well done Rafa.
Posted 15:00 7th July 2008
Sunil Sinha says...
superb final match. Probably one of the best final played in recent years. Both players deserve congratulations. The Wimbledon 2008 will be remembered for years to come just for this match
Posted 13:54 7th July 2008
Angela Evans says...
Without a doubt the greatest match I have ever seen and the best Wimbledon final ever. It had everything and I was mesmerised from beginning to end! So ,so pleased for Nadal , desperately wanted him to win but great credit to Federer for contributing to such a fantastic final. Proves once again that Wimbledon is the BEST tennis tournament in the world!! Roll on next June! Viva Espana !!
Posted 12:54 7th July 2008
Hung Nq says...
Well, that was certainly the greatest match ever. Thank the both because of what they brougt back to us. For me, I have never seen a match like that before. It included so many things such as drama, emotion and ofcourse, a happy ending. I am sure Nadal will be a no 1 in near future but Federer also deserves the king title of tennis. Clearly, the world tennis will also the matches of 2 titans in many years. However, now we enjoy the moment of the yesterday' s fierce battle!
Posted 12:24 7th July 2008
Carl Greenhalgh says...
What a game, non stop action from the word go shame about the weather but absolutely amazing, some of Federers back hand returns were beyond belief, i think they both deserved to win but there could only be one worthy winner
Posted 12:17 7th July 2008
Carl Rogers says...
first of all what a game!!! both players played absoulutly amazing, and either could have so easily won. credit federer being two sets down, already under all that mental pressure of defending his title, seeing his world no 1 spot under scuritiny, and coming back from 2 sets down to take it so close. also credit nadal for his mental strength after loosing two years in a row, playing britains only hopefull and having to beat the crowd in the murray game aswell, then having almost every1 at centre court backing the fed. aswell as mental strength both players showed great physical fitness to play all them hours of tennis with that huge delay. is this the game to do to tennis what the ashes has done for cricket?? possibly truely the greatest game i have ever seen
Posted 11:59 7th July 2008
Karl Anstee says...
An absolutly amazing match! I think yesterday proved to everyone that federer is far from over the hill or ready to hand his crown permantely to the Spanish super kid. Roland Garros was devastating for federer but how he played and fought transforming himself back into the great player we all know and love showed the world why he is the world number 1 and just a few grand slams away from becoming the best male tennis player in the history of the beautiful game. Yes Nadal may have won and yes Rafa is coming of age but don't right federer off winner more grand slams yet and holding onto his world number 1 spot for the end of the year. Tennis has never seen such a all round star and gentleman as Roger, Nadal's game still needs improving in many areas and with the mentality and ability Federer has along with the best game any player has ever had, he is far from the end yet, watch this space . . . . .
Posted 11:12 7th July 2008
Lloyd Ledgister says...
It was a great game to watch, from two great tennis players... Now whether it was the best final ever is difficult- there has been some great finals over the years and have all been great. But I like to look at it in time periods... Nadal&Federa are the best in this time period playing the modern game, whereby the raquets are better, the balls are better, and also the playing surface is possibley a little better than years gone by. If you look at the final between Mcenroe& Borg, in that time period it was the best final at that particular time. So my personal view is that this final should be judged by it's own time period and not to compare it with previous finals-because I believe previous finals are unique in their own particular time period... But yesterdays game was a great final.
Posted 11:09 7th July 2008
Edward Wallis says...
The best Wimbledon final ever - no question & probably the best tennis match ever played. The quality of tennis from both players was simply outstanding - Rafa's forehand was almost perfect throughout & Federer's superb serving kept him in the match for so long until the dramatic finale. Well done to both players for a fabulous spectacle - it was truly gripping stuff the like we haven't seen in any sport for many years. Same again next year under the closed roof? - please!
Posted 11:08 7th July 2008
Emeka Nwankwo says...
A thrilling and wonderful match, i never saw the Bjorn - Mc match, but this has to be the BEST EVER final, there was drama (the rain), suspense (matchpoint Nadal, rain delay), terror (Federer' comeback) and of course the happy ending (Nadal winning). I believed Nadal would win but midway thru the match i started 'really'seeing why Fed Ex is No.1. I wish i was there to experience the live atmosphere. 2 great players doing what they know how to do best. My hat is off to both of them, great show.....
Posted 11:08 7th July 2008
Jennifer Hampson says...
I don't know whether it was the best Wimbledon Final ever because I haven't seen any of the other classics people talk about mainly because I wasn't born, but for me this is definitely the best tennis match I have ever seen! It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and was very emotional when Rafa finally won. The expectations for this match were so high and it certainly exceeded them and isn't that what a great final is supposed to do?
Posted 10:20 7th July 2008
Adam Conway says...
Nadal is the best player in the world right now, as much as Rafa plays this down. People who follow tennis know who the best player in the world is. The lad who posted Rafa still isnt in Roger's class well a head to head record of 12-6 proves he is very much in his class and is the better player. I think it is exciting times for tennis because i dont think Nadal or Federer will win the US open because Djokovic is playing amazing at the moment on hard courts.
Posted 09:38 7th July 2008
Alison Edwards-jones says...
Before Wimbledon started, I had a bet with my husband that Venus Williams would be crowned Champ and Rafa would beat Roger in a very close call. How I wish I'd taken a trip to William Hill and put my money where my mouth was as I'd have won more than a tenner. I so wanted Rafa to win. He is a very exciting player to watch. Went to Wimbledon last year and watched his Semi Final against Djokovic which he won by default and I thought he would go all the way then but it was not to be!! However, I did say last year that he would come back and win the following year. Well done Rafa, I love you!!!! xxx
Posted 09:34 7th July 2008
Dot Wilcock says...
Amazing match but rather early to start talking of Nadal being the greatest ever. As Roger said - and so well he said it - we have to wait until careers are over, look at all achievements and then decide. I suppose Federer for me and for his legion of fans will always be the greatest. He is the most wonderful ambassador for the great game and for humankind. I have been a tennis fan for 58 years and have never seen his like. Dot
Posted 09:23 7th July 2008
Neill Coen says...
This is gonna go down as the Greatest Final not only in Wimbledon history, but in the history of Mens Singles. The two greatest players the world has ever seen on the worlds greatest stage. It has to be the best since the rackets they use, and the balls they use are faster than ever before, faster than back in the day, which makes it harder to play tennis against one another. Also well played Nadal......obviously...he had 2 Championship points before the final set. He had 2 sets up, plenty of break points for and against him. It could have and should have killed him mentally, but it didnt. He played the greatest player on grass (so far) and beat him after losing to him twice before that! He really deserved it, he improved his serve, his backhand....and he finally beat the best! Now its Nadal's time. He's 22, so by the time he's Federer's age, he could have 4/5 more Wimbledon titles. Go the Bull!
Posted 09:09 7th July 2008