This was arguably the best match I can recollect seeing! But I surely wont say this is the best "ever"! With both these splendid players having many years of tennis still left in them, I am quite hopeful (and sure too!) that we are gonna witness atleast another couple of mind-boggling matches!!!
For me this was the best final in recent times...may be the Ivanisevic vs Patrick Rafter final will come close but this one's definitely the better one...In terms of rivalry this one's definitely right up there along with the Agassi-Sampras rivalry...And in due course of time this might be the best...but for the moment the Nadal, Federer rivalry stands level with that of Agassi and Sampras...
RE:Can't say abt the rivalry but atleast the final is one of the best in recent times...!!!
by Chai Kulkarni on Jul 07, 2008 02:18 PM Permalink
much better than the agassi sampras rivalry... since sampras was talent wise much better than agassi it was only occassionally that ther were gr8 games...yest game was awesome not just the length but each point was hard fought with the exhibition of amazing tennis... both are equally talented.. though rafa will ultimately succeed as he is 4 yrs younger to fedex...
RE:Can't say abt the rivalry but atleast the final is one of the best in recent times...!!!
by anup kazani on Jul 07, 2008 05:22 PM Permalink
Well i agree that it was a hard fought final but something which was missing is a typical grass court wimbledon final full of serve and volley....which Federer is capable of...that was missing....Rafa ...as he is a baseliner was at his best...but to me, FEDEX lost for he was continuing the French assualt from baseline rather than do what he is capable of doing.....by this statement there is by no means an attempt to undermine the tremendous talent that these two guys possess....and great fighting spirit!!
One of the greatest matches....no doubt.as good as the Borg-Mcenroe in 1980 ...the ruling deity of the baseline versus the king of the net....however would like to add one point is that great champions dig deep and extricate themselves from very tight situations....Sampras, Becker Lendl... Federer had his chance to show that he too could grit and win...against a very talented, determined and in form opponent.....somehow he seems to lack the bloody-mindedness of a champion....too much to expect from an artist ..he has played and won a mere three five setters enroute to 12 grand slams....(Agassi, Tommy Haas and Nadal) he has never had to sweat it to win slams....Nadal is not only his first real challenge ...but also the force blocking him from being the greatest ever tennis player.... Federer has to make a few changes in his game plan to tackle Nadal...
Nadal will probably complete the grand slam some day...watch out for him ...he is only 22 years
This Federer-Nadal final was certainly one of the best. Other best & classic matches I know are 1) 1992 Agassi-Ivanisevic thrilling 5 setter which Agassi won 6-7,6-4,6-4,1-6,6-4 & 2) 1990 Becker-Edburg flawless game which Edburg won 6-2,6-2,3-6,3-6,6-4. Other one of the best match was 1992 Q/F Agassi-Becker match which Agassi won 4-6,6-2,6-2,4-6,6-3. It was classic tussle of serve-vollyer v/s baseliner. Agassi showed his masterclass power hitting, returns & passing shots and cross courts. It was treat to watch.
I have been regular follower of thei Great Individual Game for almost 20 years.Seen some great rivalries Like McEnroe-Jimmy-Connors Lendle-Becker-Edberg,Sampras- Aggassi and now Federer - Rafa..this Win of Rafa i would say sheer power & Stamina of Rafa won against the grace & elegance of Federer
Looks like Federer is suffering from some complex. Subtly (specifically after French Open) he has come to realise over the past few weeks that Nadal is his invincible opponent. One could also make out from his body language.In yesterday's match, Federer looked a little weary in front of those Nadal's fiery shots.
Hats off to Roger for giving an awesome fight to Nadal from the 3rd set onwards when the match went to the tie break. This match was easily in Nadal's hand in the opening sets, but the man who gave the best fight was Roger. Towards the end, Roger really proved why is he World #1. One of the best finals. Is Nadal the clear winner..?? NO..Federer was only unlucky by a few points in the last tie breaker.
Lets hope Roger does win at Centre Court and Roland Garros next year. He is a great fighter and hope he does not give up.
Needless to say that this match was much much better than the cricket match around the same time. The Indians are again becoming inconsistent. Last time in Dhaka (to Pakistan) and this time to Sri Lanka...Which is the next winner against India..??
I am neither a Federer fan nor that of Nadal but yet I found the first four sets very gripping. In the fourth set tiebreaker, I was on my seat's edge. I couldn't sit through the fifth and I switched off the TV and went to bed thinking it is all over, with Federer retaining some edge over Nadal. When I woke up early in the morning to catch the news, I couldn't believe that Nadal had won. Certainly, the most heart-stopping show on the centre court at Wimbledon. I could see tension writ large on the face of Borg when Federer ripped that backhand pass down the line, denying Nadal what would have been a great 4-set victory. Comparisons down the memory lane are debatable but this one will rank amongst the best in 5-set championship matches. It all came down to one thing. Nadal had immense self-belief and Federer was found wanting in that department. Otherwise, a match of 4 hours and 48 minutes came down to a difference of 5 points between the contenders. How close one could get, considering the time expended!
RE:What was the total time taken please
by Kannan SivaramanViswanatha on Jul 07, 2008 01:53 PM Permalink
4 hours and 48 minutes as per wimbledon site & points won, Nadal 209 to Federer 204 if I am not mistaken
i think this is the best ever tennis final in this era Federar vs Nadal two of great tennis star in this era, nadal win but i think its federar who rules the tennis court atleast 3 yaers more fterthat nadal
