Rafael Nadal, the World nº2, beat Roger Federer (Nº1) in the longest Wimbledon Final ever played. Four hours and 46 minutes of some of the very best tennis ever seen ended in one of the tightest victories for the man from Manacor, Mallorca: 6-4 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7. Play was interrupted by rain twice in the most thrilling match Prospero has ever watched (and a welcome break from our Festival). Federer, perhaps the best tennis player of modern times, equalled Bjorn Borg’s epic five consecutive wins last year but was unable to beat his friend and frequent rival. The next of the big tournaments is the U.S, Open in August; should Nadal win there, he could become World Nº1. ¡Rafa campeón! To see the BBC’s report on the match
Rafael Nadal held off an incredible fightback from Roger Federer to win his first Wimbledon title and end the Swiss star’s reign at the All England Club.
The Spaniard missed two championship points in the fourth set but recovered to win a dramatic rain-interrupted match 6-4 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7.
The final shot was struck in near darkness on Centre Court at 2115 BST.
Nadal, 22, is the the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.
Federer, 26, had been trying to become only the second man to win six consecutive Wimbledon titles, and so surpass Borg to match Willie Renshaw, who played in the 1880s.
The defeat brought to an end his unbeaten run of 65 matches on grass, and arguably his reign as the undisputed king of tennis.
On sealing victory, a tearful Nadal climbed through the stands to celebrate with his family and supporters before heading to the royal box to speak to members of the Spanish royal family.
Federer, meanwhile, suffered the unpleasant experience of watching, dejected, from his chair as he came to terms with finishing runner-up for the first time.
What an epic five set match by the two titans of tennis. My eyes were glued to this marathon for 4 hours and 48 minutes! This was the greatest and perhaps the best quality tennis I have ever witnessed in any tournament. Congrats to Nadal for taking down the great Federer.