Rafael Nadal has recalled his epic 2008 Wimbledon triumph over Roger Federer, a match hailed as the greatest in men’s tennis.
The Spaniard, then 22, ended Federer’s five-year reign with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7 victory in a rain-delayed final that stretched nearly seven hours and finished in near-darkness.
“It was a dream playing on this court. But win? I never imagined something like this,” Nadal said. “2008 was an amazing step forward in my career, because I showed myself that I was able to win outside of clay in a Grand Slam.”
The win silenced doubts about his ability beyond Roland Garros and propelled him to world number one. Nadal would go on to complete the career Grand Slam, but the 2008 final remains the most emotional match of his career.
