LONDON—Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as king of Wimbledon on Sunday with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory in one of the most dramatic finals seen at the All England Club.
The 22-year-old Nadal survived an incredible Federer fightback to become the first Spaniard to win the grasscourt grand slam since Manuel Santana in 1966. He is also the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
After two rain interruptions the players returned to court for a third time with light fading fast and in a nerve-shredding finale the contest finally ended with Nadal collapsing to the dusty baseline after a Federer forehand hit the net.
"It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment...winning my favorite tournament, it's a dream," Nadal said after climbing through the crowd to hug his family.
"He's still the number one, he's still the best, he's five times champion, now I have one."
Defeat ended Federer's six-year unbeaten run on grass, spanning 65 matches and ended his hopes of surpassing Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles.
The Swiss took defeat like a true champion.
"I tried everything," the 26-year-old told spectators in near darkness. "Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic.
"It didn't make it easier but I expected the worst. It's the worst opponent on the best court. It's been a joy to play here again. It's a pity I couldn't win it but I'll be back next year."
Gutsy Conditions
The final was delayed by half an hour because of rain and when battle did commence it was world number two Nadal who hit the ground running.
He broke Federer's second service game when the Swiss completely missed a backhand in the gusty conditions.
Nadal targeted the Federer backhand relentlessly and it paid handsome dividends as the Swiss failed to capitalize on several chances to get back into the set.
Federer had two break points when Nadal served for the set at 5-4 but failed to convert them and then netted a backhand to hand the Majorcan powerhouse the opener.
Nadal found himself 4-1 down in the second set as Federer's game began to click but he broke back in the seventh game with a pummeled backhand pass.
With the momentum back on his side Nadal applied the thumbscrews on Federer to break again, forging a two-set lead and sending the Swiss despondently back to his chair.
Nadal seemed on the verge of victory at 3-3 in the third set when Federer fell 0-40 down on his serve but he found some fight to serve his way out of trouble.
Federer returned from a the first rain delay in more positive mode and took control of the tiebreak with two sweetly struck forehands, clinching the third set with an ace.
Twice Federer showed tremendous resolve when he served to stay alive at 4-5 and 5-6 in the fourth set before a tiebreak that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Nadal held a 5-2 lead but served a nervy double fault. Still the Spaniard carved out a championship point at 7-6 but Federer saved it with a service winner.
Federer faced another match point at 8-7, this time with Nadal serving. Again he came up with some brilliance to thread an astonishing backhand down the line.
When he secured the tiebreak 10-8 football-style chants echoed around court for both players.
Rain stopped play again at 2-2 in the decider and when the players returned the atmosphere crackled. Both players refused to blink but it was Federer who wavered at 7-7.
Federer saved one match point with a sensational return but Nadal would not be denied.
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