Roger Federer beat a more potent competitor that Rafael Nadal today to win his fifth straight Wimbledon title. He defeated the crushing weight of history. With Bjorn Borg, the only other man to win five Wimbledon championships in a row in attendance, Federer held his nerve and beat Nadal, 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-2.With this win Federer, only 25, has now won 11 Grand slam titles, just three behind U.S. great. Pete Sampras. Nadal valiantly played the part of potential foil to Federer. But in the end, Nadal's lack of a consistently strong and varied serve, plus his inability to pressure Federer by attacking the Swiss player led to Raffa's ultimate demise.
After the match, each player complimented the other using the usual platitudes. However, Nadal must surely rue the fact that twice in the final set he had double-break point on Federer's serve and failed to convert any of the four break points. Federer must privately know that Nadal has shown an increasingly prevalent knack for coming up just short against the world's #1 on every other Grand Slam surface except clay. And even at the French Open, if Federer has Nadal in a pinch late in a match, Nadal's proclivity to hit his groundstrokes a little weaker, move his feet a little less, and serve a bit slower might even haunt him at the French Open.
While there are a slew of young players on the horizon who are unafraid of Nadal, all of them fear Federer. Look for Roger to end this Grand Slam season with a 12th trophy after the U.S. Open in September.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-08-2007 @ 8:36PM
Diane Silva said...
What a great game today! I app;aud Roger fora wonderul game and his victory. I alos applaud Nadal who made soemoutstanding sots. myhusband and I were on the edges of our seats today. Never have we enujoyed a match more.
Kudos to Federer on capturing his fifth championship and also to Rafael Nadal for marvelously played game
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7-08-2007 @ 9:32PM
savinbiller said...
This was the best Wimbledon final in years. Bar none. The quality of tennis by both men was amazing for a 5 set match. There were no losers in this match. Roger may have come home with the trophy but Nadal won the hearts of all tennis fans out there.
Let the US Open decide who is the #1 player in the world. I'm getting my tickets for the final.
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7-09-2007 @ 1:17AM
anonymous said...
Nadal was a far more potent competitor than history. Federer played amazing tennis just to stay in the match and give himself the chance to win, because Nadal outplayed him for four sets. I don't really understand why you said Nadal was unable to pressure Federer. Again, for four sets, Nadal put much more pressure on Federer than Federer was able to put on Nadal. Also, Nadal and Federer have only played Grand Slam matches on grass and clay, so Nadal still has a winning record against Fed in grand slam matches. The fact that Nadal is getting better, and coming much closer to defeating Federer at Wimbledon than Fed beating Nadal at the French, show that the things may starting to favor Nadal. Federer said it himself today when he said he had to get as many wins as he can now. It is quite possible that soon Nadal will be dominating on all surfaces. That said, this was probably the greatest match I have seen, and I came away from it somehow with even more respect for both players than before.
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7-09-2007 @ 9:58AM
Ilanin said...
As far as the young guns go, I don't think that Murray (who has beaten Federer) and Djokovic (who hasn't, but will probably get around to it sooner rather than later) are scared of anybody.
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7-09-2007 @ 1:14PM
Rohan said...
In today tennis nobody compete anymore other than Nadal. and he is only getting better and not worser. and that's Scary for Roger and he knows that. he have to win as many before it's too late. Nadal is 5 yrs Roger junior. Roger will be 26 soon. I think nadal is more like to win 4 straight french and the wimbledon next yr. i don't see Roger setting a new record in wimbledon wins. I take nadal over roger. I still believe pete in his prime was better than Roger. people compete against pete, nobody do other than Nadal.
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7-10-2007 @ 12:52AM
paul said...
Hey Rohan:
Come-on get a grip.....surely you can't really believe Fed is not at least as good as pistol Pete back in his prime? For one Federer beat Pete in 5 sets back in 01 at Wimbledon, all the while Pete was ironically going for title number 5 also at Wimbledon. Secondly,Roger has the most complete game, probably in the open era: (serve/volley, returns, up-the-line/cross-court, slices, topspin, awesome forearm, maybe the backhand could improve....as many players try to exploit this shot with Fed. I've been a tennis fan, and coach for 30 plus years, and honestly feel he's a pure artist on the court. In fact, although many feel Nadel will only get better with age. I think Federer can still improve, and we may even witness more jaw-dropping play from him before he finishes with the game. However, with 11 slams and millions in the bank, and many more coming via Nike, and now Gillette adding to the future generation federer trust funds....one must wonder if he will stay motivation, and committed to continue at this level? Borg threw-in the towel at this point in his great career. Injuries could also be another roadblock to his continued success. As for Nadel, I would be concerned in regard to him physically breaking down.....maybe knees, (see 07 Wimbledon, 4th set) feet, or any of his joints for that matter, due to the pounding he seems willing and able to currently endure almost any time he takes the court. He also, seems to be pushed quite often to 4 and 5 set matches which also tends to break players down physically over time......
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7-11-2007 @ 12:36AM
Patricia Reid-Trent said...
What a match!!! one of the best I have every seen. These two players really challenge each other and in so doing bring out the best in each other and the game of tennis. I am a staunch Roger Federer fan, no one plays the game better, with him it's an artform, it's like watching an artist paint each stroke. When he is playing I schedule my daily plans to ensure that I am glued to the television for his matches. I must credit Nadal for the way he played on Sunday, he was able to frustrate Roger enough for him to dig deeper to find his awesome capabilities to finish the match. I for one was so stressed out I stopped watching after the 4th set but what "JOY" when I found out Mr. Federer won. He really has brought sooooooooooo much to the sport of tennis. Federer has so many more Championships to win because of his commitment to the sport, his respect for the other players and most important the fans....he gives 100% to every match.
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7-11-2007 @ 10:21PM
chrys said...
Was an awesome match....BUT, it was totally unfair that many players had to play so many consecutive days and Federer didn't. Good players were getting hurt and that affected the outcome.
Rafael Nadal is the most fit and even he was hurting.
The outcome would have been different if Wimbledon had been more fair to all players.
Rafa would definately have won.
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