If anyone is reading this post, you may remember a previous blog post of mine (in an earlier blog) in which I discussed the rivalry between these two. John McEnroe exclaimed "Long live this rivalry!" after Federer's win last year at the Championships Wimbeldon. This year, John McEnroe placed their rivalry in the chronicles alongside historic rivalries such as Andre Agassi vs. Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg vs. Jimmy Conors, even alongside himself in Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe. It is exhilirating to watch Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - the best in today's tennis. With their determination, their best only pushes the other man to even greater heights.
I scrambled to get breakfast and put on my church clothes and makeup during commercial breaks - difficult since MSNBC gives such short ones during the Championships. At last Nadal was up one set, 4-3 in the second.....and I had to go to church. It was 10am for me, and I reluctantly pulled myself away and got on the road. I hated to miss play, but I couldn't be a heathen, could I?
Earlier, I had thought thus: Be like the prophet Elijah--pray that it rains! Get a rain delay going at Wimbledon while I'm in church, and that way I can have the best of both worlds! I was even considerate of the players: during said rain delay a'la Elijah, the players could prayerfully refresh themselves so as to give me their best effort upon my return from the service. Unfortunately, there was no rain when I departed home.
I got to church, and the worship service was fantastic. The sermon was good; the pastor and his wife ministered the last portion on a series about how to affair-proof your marriage. The topic today was order in the home and tips to avoid bad communication.
During Affair-Proofing Your Marriage Communication Tip #2, there was a phone call from a family member overseas. Another relative (who never gets sick a day in his life) had been admitted to the hospital last night, so I took the call seriously. I didn't reach it in time and the caller got hung up on, at which point she couldn't be reached again. Given the seriousness of the situation, I got back in the car and headed home, hoping nothing was wrong. I also wondered whether walking out in the middle of someone's monologue made for bad communication? Maybe that was Tip #3.
I got home and found out nothing had happened after all. My ill relative was still in the hospital, but there was no further bad news. I was happy to get home a little early--perhaps now I could watch more of the match. So I turned on the TV and to my delighted surprise, this is what I found:
It DID rain!!
And best of all: they only got to 4-5 Federer in the third set! I could still see the end!
Well, the end was a long time coming. For over 3 more hours and one more rain delay, Nadal and Federer pushed each other into five sets in what became the longest match in Wimbledon Men's Singles Finals history. The total time was well over 6 hours--almost seven--and total play extended beyond four. I have never see a more neck and neck game. The final score: 6-4 6-4 6-7(8) 6-7(10) 9-7. Since neither man could break the other's serve, it was an epic, exciting match to watch
A second rain delay in the fifth set pushed the match past 2:00pm, at which time my local station was set to cover the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game. When the rain delay at the All England Club ended, they split the screen to show both baseball and tennis. The problem: I hate baseball. The second problem: the voiceover was all for baseball. So I got on my computer and listened to the Wimbledon Live Radio (in lieu of a subscription to Wimbledon Live Video) but the broadcast (in which the announcers debated their possession of lozenges) did not synch with the TV feed. I finished out the match watching it in silence, squinting to see the scores on the tiny split screen.
The most exciting match I've seen in a long time (sorry, Rafa.....sentimentally, it's hard to beat Andre Agassi's series of epic five-setters towards a heart-breaking retirement at the 2006 US Open) ended with Federer hitting a forehand short into the net, and Nadal collapsed onto his back in celebration, then jumped up into the stands over the commentator's box to thank his family and coach. Spanish flag draped over his shoulder, he ran over the top of the digital scoreboard to the Royals Box to shake the hands of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain.
Federer had tears in his eyes, and while I admit I favored Nadal, my reaction to Rafa's victory was also muted. Federer, had he won, would have beaten Bjorn Borg's "unbeatable" record of 5 straight Wimbledon titles, becoming the first man in over 120 years to do so. Federer possessed an astounding winning streak on number of matches won on grass. But both men are top players in tennis, the best there are today. To see Federer battle with his entire being and fall short of such a great achievement--on an error no less--was painful to watch.
Nadal battled the world's #1-ranked player and came out victorious. While Federer did make a few surprising errors (and was broken 4 times by Nadal), both men played exceptionally well, and Nadal's victory was deserved.
The supremacy of their technique and strategy is unmatched. The scoreboard is a testament to the power, endurance, and skill of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
I still debate whether I was a heathen for being happy to leave church early and happy there was a rain delay....but I was well rewarded.
Federer stated earlier in the tournament that even at 26 years old he believes he has 5-10 more years left in him (enough to go for another 6-championship streak??) and based off his performance today, it appears he would be right. And he'd be in good company, since the amazing Andre Agassi also retired at 36. Nadal has won his fifth grand slam title (with a four-win streak at Roland Garros) and today he narrowed the gap among the top grass court players. The man is only 22 years old. There will be a lot more proceeding from these two players, and hopefully their tennis destinies will ensure they meet many more times.
Indeed - LONG LIVE THIS RIVALRY!
HLJ Sidenote: I will post match photos and player interviews when they are made available.
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