About half an hour ago I finished watching what I think is the greatest tennis match of my lifetime, outdoing even those epic Borg-McEnroe clashes in 1979 and 1980, as Rafael Nadal outlasted (there really isn't a better word) five-time champion Roger Feder 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 in a match that ran just a little less than five hours: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25552202/site/21683474/. Aside from both players never giving an inch and making one great shot after another, we as sports fans were treated to incredible sportsmanship both ways by two of the most classy athletes out there. Their mutual respect was something to see, and given how incredibly disappointed Federer must have been after losing the title (correction--he didn't lose it, Nadal WON it), he was nothing but gracious after the match, as was Nadal, who was effusive in his praise of the man many think will ultimately break Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles.
I felt privileged to have watch such a great exhibition.
UPDATE (6:57 p.m.): It was 7-5 in that third set tiebreaker, and for a great feel for the match as it occurred, check out the official Wimbledon blog from Drew Lilley. It can be found here: http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/articles/2008-07-06/200807061215337388343.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment