Wimbledon final 2008

[Deleted member 742196]

That's ok, as I watched it live too. Doesn't mean I know better than someone else. It was clear to see, Federer was cruising at W 08 , and Nadal just took it out of his hands.
No other player on the planet was stopping Federer in that match.
A player of his skill doesn't lack confidence on his favourite surface, unless the opponent makes him.
Much the same as an out of sorts Nadal would've been confident still against Soderling in 09 RG, until Robin took the match away from him.

Tennis is as much about losses as the wins. That’s what’s made the three way dogfight the past decade so interesting.

While I hate the fact Nadal owned Fed for the majority of their rivalry, there’s no avoiding the losses.

Both walked on court healthy - Nadal just took it from him. Rationalize it however you want, that’s in the realm of subjectivity - Fed lost while in his prime to Nadal, at Wimbledon.

Part of what made 2009 so compelling was seeing him rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Wouldn’t have had that same feeling had he fended Rafa at Wimbledon 2008.

As to which shot was greater, perhaps technically and tactically it might have been Rafa’s. But stakes wise, and intuitively, Fed’s.

The fact they happened when they did, in succession, made me explode in my pants.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Given the occasion, the importance, the situation, that was his greatest shot ever. Of course he's made more spectacular shots than that pass, but for me that's his #1 shot.

It being a MP doesn't make it any better, he was standing there and stuck his racquet out bc Nadal hit a safe shot. This is a grass court, Nadal hit a loopy CC ball that Federer had seen all match, Federer hit a very flat FH-DTL that Nadal was nowhere near, with much harder pace. Fandom removed, I don't know how people can't see how Nadal's shot was harder. Federer's DEFINITELY deserves an oooh-aaaah bc I was watching the thing live and on the edge of my seat when he saved it. Just the shot itself wasn't harder than the pass, the occasion was lit, sure.

 

[King No1e]

It being a MP doesn't make it any better, he was standing there and stuck his racquet out bc Nadal hit a safe shot. This is a grass court, Nadal hit a loopy CC ball that Federer had seen all match, Federer hit a very flat FH-DTL that Nadal was nowhere near, with much harder pace. Fandom removed, I don't know how people can't see how Nadal's shot was harder. Federer's DEFINITELY deserves an oooh-aaaah bc I was watching the thing live and on the edge of my seat when he saved it. Just the shot itself wasn't harder than the pass, the occasion was lit, sure.

In terms of how hard the shot was, of course Nadal's was more spectacular. Fed's was just a routine backhand pass. It was more about the occasion.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Then youre no different from a lot of other tennis 'fans' .

No I am different as I see matches of almost all top players at slams and masters
And even if top buddies are knocked out, I do watch QF-SF-F even if mugs like giraffe and giant bamboo are competing