Nadal defeated Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7 (5–7), 6–7 (8–10), 9–7 in a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes.
Switzerland's Roger Federer (R) hugs Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) during their tennis match at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
After a couple of losses in 2006 and 2007 to Roger Federer in the final of the Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal had finally managed to get the better of his arch-rival in 2008 in a match that is widely touted as one of the greatest of all time in the history of the sport.
“Wimbledon for everybody is special. When I was a kid most of the time I saw Sampras winning. For me, it was a personal goal,” Nadal told the BBC.
“Well, I think 2006 I went to that final without believing in victory. 2007 was a completely different story. I felt ready to compete and I was there. I lost the 5th and I had my chances. In 2008 I was playing great. I came into the final with the feeling that I was not the favorite but I was ready to win. And I never stopped believing in victory. I had some tough moments, especially in the fourth set.”
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Nadal defeated Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7 (5–7), 6–7 (8–10), 9–7 in a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes.
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