I woke up at 6am today just to watch the Mens Wimbledon Final. Six hours later, it’s still going although now they have paused with a rain delay.
Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate Nadal despite my first impression which admittedly was formed by his tennis shorts rather than his game. What I like about Nadal is that he plays so hard. So many times I’ve watched other players seem to outplay him — but never at the right time. This match is no different.
Before the match began, I thought Nadal would be the champion. Now I’m not so sure. Federer’s serve is just so good. Still the fifth set has no tie breaks, so perhaps that will give Nadal the advantage.
I’m really going to be bummed if this match doesn’t end today.
Update: Well the match is over with Nadal the champion. What an incredible match and even though it’s the 4th time in memory that John McEnroe has said it’s the best Wimbledon Final he’s ever seen, it very well may be true this time.
In that last set Nadal was just coming up with some remarkable shots. This was a morning/afternoon well spent.
Update 2: Hours later, I’m still thinking about the match. I’ve always suspected that in addition to Nadal being adept at tennis and athletic, his greatest asset is the fact that he always seems to operating under the impression that he is going to win. I think of Djokovic in the 2007 U.S. Open Final. He was playing better than Federer, but nerve prevented him from closing the deal. Or Tipsarevic’s epic 5 set match last year against Federer. Again, nerve held him back where his talent didn’t seem to.
It made me appreciate more this young Spaniard who seems to have no problem believing he can beat the world number one. His game has improved so much that he seemed a very safe bet to win this tournament. I didn’t think it would be a match like this, but I’m so glad it was. We could all us this “belief” in ourselves.
He added: “When I lost the fourth set I sat down and said ‘I’m playing well.’ I had a very positive attitude, l felt confident with myself.
“It’s the final of Wimbledon so I have to continue fighting all the time.
“I’m playing well so why do I have to go down? I lost two tie-breaks. I played a terrible two points with serve at 5-2 and later he did very well.”
And as the drama unfolded in the fifth set, Nadal remained calm.
“I was just focused on every point,” he said. “It’s impossible to think too much. Just point by point. I didn’t want to think about the title.”
