The best final ever?
Last updated: 8th July 2008
Rafael Nadal's victory over Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final was a true classic.
Where does it rank in the pantheon of great Wimbledon finals?
Bjorn Borg's five-set victory over John McEnroe in 1980 - a match which included THAT tiebreak - has widely been hailed as the best final of the modern era.
Stan Smith's five-setter against Ilie Nastase in 1972, Andre Agassi's victory over Goran Ivanisevic 20 years later, Pete Sampras' defeat of the Croat in 1998 and last year's Federer-Nadal showdown were all wonderful contests.
But does Sunday's epic top the lot?
Share your thoughts on Rafael Nadal's historic triumph...
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Comments
David Tran says...
The mens single final at wimbledon 2008 was a dramatic final. I was on the edge of my seat. The best player on the day was Nadal and he deserved the win through his solid performance. I have always been a supporter of Federer but I have been very dissapointed with Federer's performance. I saw Federer play with too much fear and respect for Nadal,and as a result, lost the match. Federer has natural talent but lacked the confidence in his match against Nadal. True champions play without fear.
Posted 19:31 16th July 2008
Ilona Pali says...
I want to congratulate both men for making sundays final one of the best sporting spectacles i have evr witnessed in tennis. It had Everything! This was the final the tennis world had been anitcipating. I was overjoyed to see the young Rafa win the wimbledon, something he was craving for so long, but all the same i was sorry to see Federra, clutching the runners-up shield looking so down cast and this picture of him will live in my mind for ever. Well done Rafa you are not only a winner but an excellent sportsman at such a young age, keep it up
Posted 14:52 11th July 2008
Jack Keens says...
this final was the greatest final i have seen in my time. although i feel that federer has the natural tallent i was glad to see nadal win, due to how hard he works in the sport behind closed doors. i feel that nadal works as hard as he possibly can in order to get the trophys he wants. i hope more tennis players take this into account that hard work can get you rewards, its not just natural talent, i hope to see more finals like this in the future as both players showed so much passion and fighting spirit. best of luck to nadal in the matches to come
Posted 09:32 10th July 2008
Tom Willman says...
personally, i feel that the final was the best i've ever seen. However, i was sad that nadal won because it was a victory of speed and power over skill. Federer is limitlessly more skillful than Nadal. Nadal hits the ball a lot harder and can run faster but this is not beautiful like federer. In my opinion, the beast travailed over beauty and it is a sad day for sport in general. I just hope federer comes back next year and shows there is no substitute for skill. Enough of Rafa's "hit it as hard as i can and hope" technique. Federer needs to prove that natural ability will always prevail in the end
Posted 02:12 10th July 2008
Tony O' reilly says...
I have seen no final of any of the four majors that equals the skill, sportmanship, drama witnessed on Sunday. Rafa and the Fed express created a defining moment in the history of sport not just tennis. Rafa is a worthy champion and deserves every acalade afforded to him. He is in effect the new king of mens tennis. But spare a thought for our dying king because in defeat we saw his greatness, not ebb away but grow in abundance, as indeed Rafa's will grow if and when he achieves the status and grandure afforded to the all time greats of our sport a title that should not be taken away even in the midst of present glories. The past, present, and the expectation of future heroics define all sports, not one or two moments in time. Yes its true that we can say 'the king is dead long live the king' However as kings go Roger was one the greatest as echoed in the words of past kings - Laver, Sampras and Borg. Now its Rafa's turn to do what so few others have done before him rule the tennis with an iron like grip, so typical of Federer's reign prior to 2008. At some point the spectre of defeat more often than not falls upon most of sports all time greats, but never do they cease to be great - they become part of Wimbledon history. Rafa is 5 - 1 down and 12 -5 behind Federer in the number of majors under his belt and in that regard Rafa has long way to go. However, he can do it after all he is a worthy champion in this present moment of our sport.
Posted 18:25 9th July 2008
Ty O says...
This was an absolutely phenomenal match! The best we've had for years!! I wasn't born at the time of the 1980 Borg/McEnroe Final so i'm not gonna say that this final was better but what i can say is if that final competes with this year's final, it must hava also been one amazing final! So sad to see Federer lose cos i'm a big Federer fan but Nadal is a worthy winner! I hope to see Federer back next year in full form for another magnificent final!
Posted 00:53 9th July 2008
Vincent Grimaldi says...
Federer is just lucky it rained when it did otherwise he would of lost his crown in 3 sets.... for me it was the greatest final ever, i wasn't around in 198- so i can only talk about what ive seen. Federer was shaky all match, i honestly believe he feared rafa more than rafa did Federer. Roger could barely get his first service right. Nadal definately deserved it!! He played the match of his life, but He's the 4 time French open champion, hes never lost there and will Equal rogers 5 wimbledons on clay.. Roger is a Champion but for me it's Nadals time. he is without any doubt number one as we speak. when hes rogers age i believe he will of only got better. hes the first to win the french then wimbledon since Bong in 1980, hes the greatest player ever seen on clay, the toughest service to play on.
Posted 00:20 9th July 2008
James Lewington says...
Im really sorry to all Nadal fans but i soo wanted Federer to win, the fact that he was 'outplayed' and 'slowed down to extent of cracking' is pathetic no human will ever 'outplay' fed express ever. Nadal played exceedingly well and to change from rolland garros to queens in the fashion he did was truly amazing, nadal will be around for years and will win many more titles, but Federer deserved it and in my eyes always will do. But lets be honest it WAS the best game of tennis ever, possibly although the players struggled to see the ball in the last third, anyway congrats Nadal!
Posted 21:52 8th July 2008
Sean Watson says...
Great credit to both players. Both produced a great display which added upto, in my opinion, the greatest final I've ever seen. Thought that Federer was going to win it when he came back to two all, but credit to Nadal for holding his nerve. These two are by far the worlds greatest and those two passing shots in the 4th set tie break sums that up. Roll on next year!!
Posted 21:30 8th July 2008
Richard Pearce says...
Last Sunday I saw the most graceful display of sporting excellence for years. Both men battled hard, but it was Roger for me who won my support. Rafael has clearly surpassed him physically (this only temporary i'm sure) but Federer had an iron will about him, he shone at times and pulled out some absolutely terrific cross court shots that even the furiously fast Nadal could only watch escape him. Nadal was however the worthy winner on the day, he smashed his way to victory with precision backhands and an electric pace that seemed unbeatable all way through the tournament. I only hope that these two meet each other again next year and that Federer can triumph and make his history and then in a few years time hopefully Nadal can do the same, for the sake of tennis this would make a great sporting rivalry and I can't wait for Federer to respond...
Posted 17:43 8th July 2008
Stevie D says...
To me this was the best ever final. But I am confused over the comments about which is "Number One" and whether this is the end of Federer. Did noone actually watch the match? The fact is that they are EQUALLY matched. And in my view neither is likely to gain clear supremacy over the other until one retires.
Posted 13:15 8th July 2008
Jack Carroll says...
I thought even though he lost his crown, Federer was a fantastic sportsman when Nadal won match point. Without a doubt he is still by far the worlds No1, he just didn't want to give up against Nadal.
Posted 11:12 8th July 2008
Dave Ross says...
It was a great final for sure but does not rank alongside the 1980 Borg v McEnroe battle. There is undoubtedly more power today but the skill level and the range of shots in the Borg era was far greater. That is not to say Federer could not have mixed it in an earlier era but I am not sure Nadal would have been able to.
Posted 09:04 8th July 2008
David Bryan says...
Even thoughbest player on the day won in Nadal, Federer still remains the most natural talent the game has ever seen. His backhand nd forehand are a wonderful expression of talent and flair. Nadal is clearly stronger physically and mentally, which overcomes his lesser natural talent.
Posted 00:18 8th July 2008
Beth Smith says...
Clearly if Rafa needs to dominate all surfaces to prove that he is the greatest tennis player then then it would only be fair and logical that Federer also does the same therefore Fes express as he is called will actually have to win a grand slam at a French opening. And in relation to Fareed Mohameds comment clearly rafa does not need to dominate ALL surfaces to prove that he is in Fed Express League taking that Roger himself has not dominated ALL surfaces.
Posted 23:06 7th July 2008
Kessem Dewalt says...
What an amazing Final it was!! Im a huge Federer fan and yes i was disappointed Federer lost the match but if im honest i had a feeling if anyone was to stop Federer getting number 6 then it would been Nadal - Nadal was awesome too and deserved his win - Federer had something like 12 break points but unfortunately for him he never took them and im sure he will go home and think back "what if..." But anyways it was an outstanding final to watch and i look foward to see Federer/Nadal in 2009 and the year after and the year after that!!
Posted 21:53 7th July 2008
Lee Smith says...
First of all, what a cracking match!! Fantastic. All i have got to say is: FEDERER IS STILL THE WORLDS NO1. He will be back next year and win it!! FEDERER FEDERER FEDERER
Posted 19:45 7th July 2008
Ross Owen says...
The BEST final ever!! Nadal deserved it, he pushed Federer all the time on his service games. At this present time he is the best player in the World. Congrats to Federer for fighting hard and for contributing to an amazing final!
Posted 19:30 7th July 2008
Jeevan Jeevan says...
well gr8 match but not classic..with all due respect to rafa and fedx ...not every1 ll agree to me but i had this feeling ...those who watched becker vs edberg finals those were the classics...this was more a power play ...and down the line winners..wimbledon was/is always serve and volley ...yesterday both were playing from baseline ..and lot of winners it looks good to see but a true tennis fan will always love to see serve and volley @wimbledon this was like US or australian open....becker edberg matches were fully serve volley ,dives screaming self talk...and what not... rafa was really tough to beat but fedx was not playing at his best atleast in first two sets ...tenis is best when both the players at their best..65 unforced error from fedx tells u something..nevertheless rafa deserving winner.. gr8 to watch but not classic...terrific entertainment though .....!!!
Posted 18:53 7th July 2008
Faisal Sharif says...
even though my two favourite sports are cricket and football that performence was extraordinary both gave it there all. nadal in the end came on top and nadal ended federer's reign. but federer you have got to give him respect for not going down without a good fight and both created a outstanding final which was tense.
Posted 18:13 7th July 2008
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