Men's 2008 Wimbledon Final

Federer vs. Nadal Best Match Ever?

The men's 2008 Wimbledon final is being talked about as one of the best tennis matches, if not sporting encounters, in history. It's a tough call to compare sports, or even eras within a sport, but there were many reasons why the epic match on Centre Court will stand out on its own...

The Longest Wimbledon Final

At four hours and 48 minutes the contest between Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal was the longest final in Wimbledon history. Given that the rain interrupted play twice, from start to finish the match actually lasted six hours and 40 minutes. That's not to say that the length of the contest on its own was a factor. But the consistently high quality tennis on offer with twists and turns aplenty made this a unique sporting drama. It also proved just how fit the two players were to last that long.

Federer Clinging to His Crown

At two sets down, 3-3 in the third and the score 0-40, Federer looked like he could kiss goodbye to a winning streak at SW19 which went back as far as 2002. Watching crowds have become accustomed to seeing the 26-year old cruise into the final each year, and just when it is needed most, step up to show his champion's credentials. But here, he was in a completely different place. The confidence, seemingly thumped out of him during the French Open final when Nadal only yielded four games, was brittle and it looked like he would slip to a straight-sets defeat.

In addition, not since 1927 had the winner turned around a Wimbledon final to win in five sets so the world number one looked almost doomed. But as if suddenly calling upon all the finely-tuned memories from his five Wimbledon wins, he went for all-out attack and battled to win the third set in a tie-break, then the fourth to set up a thrilling finale. The fact that he saved three Championship points, two in the pulsating fourth set tie-break, was proof of how desperate he was to be the first man in the Open era to win six straight Wimbledon titles.

Nadal's Unrelenting Desire

Nadal has been getting closer to Federer each year they have competed for the Wimbledon crown. In 2006 it took the Swiss four sets to win and in 2007 Federer had to produce some of his best serving to triumph in five. Here though was a Nadal with an improved game. He had won on the grass at Queen's with added pace to his serve, and the kick from his panic-inducing groundstrokes had given the likes of Britain's Andy Murray nightmares en route to this year's showpiece. Nadal was broken only once during Sunday's match against Federer and after taking a two-set lead, he must have thought he was on course for victory, more so when he produced some astonishing passing shots to create three Championship points.

But with Federer unwilling to yield, Nadal, showing an unrelenting fitness, had the power of will to create a fourth. The way the Spaniard redoubled his efforts in the final set after seeing Federer claw his way back from two sets down to 2-2 was as memorable as it was impressive. It was hardly questionable before the match, but surely the 22-year-old is the fittest tennis player in the history of the game. Now though his will to win can enter the same territory.

The Rain and Darkness Although the rain is one of the biggest frustrations for players at Wimbledon, arguably on Sunday it played its part in adding to the drama. It sounds perverse but sadly, this will be the final year that it will be a factor as from 2009 Centre Court will be the new owner of a roof. Unlike many other sports, the lack of a tie-break in the fifth set gives a tennis match an open ending. Had Federer taken the match to 8-8 in the final set, with it getting ever more gloomy, it could still have gone to a Monday finish. Not knowing was bad enough for an excited crowd but could it have played a significant factor in some of the players' shot-making? The desire to get things done may have meant that Federer was aiming to finish points early while Nadal was, as ever, happy to rally literally all night. Federer alluded to the darkness after the match while Nadal said he was struggling to see the ball. Still, neither of the pair complained too loudly and the 15,000 spectators on Centre Court will have to count themselves lucky to witness a match so unique.

The Future for Federer and Nadal

Last year with 12 Grand Slams in the bag, many said there were two tasks Federer needed to fulfil in order to seal his place as the greatest tennis player. First he had to win the French Open, it being the only major tournament he has yet to win. And second, overtake Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles. Although he faltered at this year's Australian Open where Novak Djokovic picked up his first Slam, and at the French where again Nadal reigned supreme, many assumed he could take one step closer to Sampras' achievement at Wimbledon.

But all of a sudden that record looks a little less likely. With Nadal looking stronger than ever at Roland Garros, and finally finding a dent in Federer's Wimbledon armour, the Swiss has to quickly re-evaluate his targets.