Roger Federer enjoyed two incredible streaks at the US Open and Wimbledon, having won five consecutive titles at both Majors. While wishing to face Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 US Open final again, Roger admitted his Wimbledon streak ended fair and square, with Rafa deserving the title.
The Swiss claimed five straight titles at the All England Club between 2003 and 2007. He chased another in 2008, only to experience a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 defeat to Rafael Nadal in four hours and 48 minutes.
It was one of the greatest matches of all time, finished a couple of minutes before full darkness. Rafa had lost the previous two Wimbledon finals to Roger and gave everything to prevail in this one and write history books.
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Nadal squandered two sets to love lead before prevailing in the closing stages of the decider to achieve the 'Channel Slam' at 22. The Spaniard took five points more and saved 12 of 13 break points.
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He delivered four breaks, including the decisive one in the closing stages of the duel. Nadal battled hard in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes, improving his serve and challenging the dominant figure at the All England Club.
The younger player broke in the third game of the duel and saved two break points in the tenth game to grab the opener 6-4. Roger led 4-1 in the second set before losing ground.
The five-time champion suffered breaks in games seven and nine to drop five straight games and propel his rival into a massive two sets to love advantage. After an hour and a half, Nadal led two sets to love and put one hand on the trophy.
With no room for errors, Federer claimed the third set in the tie break and extended his chances. They embraced another tie break in the fourth set, and Rafa forged a 5-2 advantage.
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The Swiss erased the deficit and earned a set point. However, he sprayed two errors and faced two match points. He saved them with winners and fired two more direct points to steal the set in style and force a decider.
The players left the Centre Court in the fifth game of the final set due to rain. They extended the extraordinary battle half an hour later. Rafa faced a break point in the eighth game that could have crushed his chances.
The Spaniard saved it with a smash winner and landed a powerful forehand for 4-4. Roger denied two break points in the 11th game and remained on the positive side.
Federer closed the 13th game after two deuces to extend the battle. With more darkness covering the Centre Court with each game, they pushed each other to the limits, both physically and mentally.
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Rafa fired a forehand winner in the 14th game and locked the result at 7-7. He stepped in on the return in the next one and generated four break points. Roger saved three before netting a routine forehand on the fourth.
Thus, he fell 8-7 behind and allowed his rival to serve for the title. The 16th game reached a deuce before Rafa landed a forehand winner for a match point. He seized it after Federer's wayward forehand, falling to the sacred ground and starting a massive celebration of his first Wimbledon trophy at 22.
"I would like to play again the 2009 US Open final against Juan Martin. That was one of the matches I should not have lost, and it broke my US Open streak. Another streak ended at Wimbledon in 2008, but it had to be that way.
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Rafa deserved it so much," Roger Federer said.
