'Nadal's Wimbledon Win Decided by the Degree He Raised Grass Game'

14 Thursday 10th July, 2008

has time on his side. being, but this is fresh territory for 10 key Wimbledon moments Nadal fully deserved his moment him. It was never more in evidence of triumph and he showed, in his com- than in the Wimbledon final that these ments afterwards about Federer still two push each other to greater and Murray muscles being the best, what a humble man he greater extremes, and this will have to ‘Nadal's Wimbledon could be. But beyond their mutual continue if Federer wants to stay at in on new order respect everyone on tour realises that the top and to prolong this great rival- they will head into the rest of the sea- ry. by Mark Hodgkinson son with Nadal established as the offi- Still, I think, that as the defeated cial world No 1, and Federer as No 2. finalist we have to salute Roger. I must 1. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal put Nadal has finally shown, after four confess that I was a little disappointed on a greater show than the John French Open victories, that his game in his performance in the first two McEnroe and Bjorn Borg classics. win decided by the Even McEnroe agreed with that. "It is about far more than clay court ten- sets, when his first serve seemed to was the best final ever. There was nis and that he can beat his main rival desert him and Nadal looked as if he so much drama, there was class on the surface where Federer has been might win easily.But Federer never from both players and their levels supreme. stopped fighting - not only did he come were incredible. People talk about The one concern is over Nadal's back from two sets down, he came my matches with Bjorn, but this physical state. I am not at all sur- back from three championship points was better. It was an incredible degree he raised prised that he has pulled out of this down. effort from both players. I've never week's event in Stuttgart on clay, But then I knew Federer would seen tennis like it. I don't know how because over the next month he has have to come out swinging after those Nadal did it because Roger was the Olympics and US Open for which first two sets, putting the pressure on playing brilliant tennis after the to prepare. Nadal's serve. But Nadal's first-serve first two sets. At 2-2 in the fifth set, We saw how he constantly needed percentage was very good throughout I didn't know who was going to win. grass game’ his knees strapping up at Wimbledon and he kept serving to Federer's back- But Rafa held his nerve and I'm and so he has, for the sake of his body, hand, the weaker side. For Federer the sure this is the changing of the to stop for a while. He has had a sum- only option when he could not break guard," the former Wimbledon by Boris Becker mer of non-stop tennis - three days the serve was to make Nadal play one champion said. after winning at Roland Garros he was more shot, to get himself into the ral- "Federer has dominated on grass, afael Nadal won the best final at Queen's Club. Something you lies and eventually take his chances. but now he has someone to equal in Wimbledon history not just can always be sure of with He did that in the third and fourth sets him. Will Federer win Wimbledon Rbecause of the drama but Nadal is that he will never but Nadal is the marathon man; he again? I don't know. He's obviously because of the stakes. At stake was be lazy about his status. loves the long matches. got a chance if he plays like that. Roger Federer becoming the first man Perhaps an even big- Both of them, playing for more But after several years, he has a in more than a century to win the ger question is where than four hours, must have been feel- player who can match him." tournament six years in succession. Federer goes ing strain in their legs. With the rain 2. We are going to miss the rain- At stake was Nadal becoming the first from here, how he delays there was the issue of moisture delays. Next year, Wimbledon's Spanish men's champion in 42 years, adapts to his new on the court, which tends to benefit Centre Court will have a sliding roof in place, to shut out an English and the first man since Bjorn Borg to position as arguably the attacking player - and that, as we summer's incontinent skies, and to claim the French Open and the world's second have seen so many times, is Federer. guarantee to television executives Wimbledon titles in the same season. best player. He will But Nadal was equal to him, even that play will continue, but wasn't For all those reasons this was the stay at No 1 in when he had just lost two tie-breaks the men's final in some way best final, across all the grand slams, the rankings narrowly.It did not surprise me that enhanced by the two rain breaks? that I have seen. for the he had the mental strength to gather Imagine if the roof had been ready The outcome was decided time himself for the fifth, but this was still for this year's tournament, and not, ultimately, by any clear an incredible match to win. We have a Federer and Nadal had effectively dip in form from Federer new king of tennis. played an 'indoor' match under arti- but by the degree to which (C) The Telegraph Group, ficial light, walking out at 2pm and Nadal improved on grass. London 2008 finishing just before 7pm. It would- Both players knew how n't have been the same. close the outcome had The two rain breaks built the ten- Classic duel: former Wimbledon champi- been last year, when sion, and also ensured that the tour- Nadal lost in five sets, on Roger Federer congratulates his nament was completed in near- and this time he came Spanish heir, Rafael Nadal darkness, with Nadal almost unable into Wimbledon with to see the ball as he served for the more skills and more match. If this had been played shots. under a roof, it simply wouldn't I had doubted, unlike have reached the heights it did, and many, whether he would be wouldn't have been described as the able to dethrone a five-time greatest match of all time. There champion and yet on Sunday he were three factors in making this still outperformed perhaps the arguably the best match of all time best player the game has known. - Federer, Nadal and autumn com- The margins were fine but there ing early to south-west London. was a sense of a changing of the 3. Federer's backhand pass down the line, that staved off Nadal's second order because Nadal, at the age of 22, championship point in the fourth- set tie-break, was the shot of the tournament. But only just, as the forehand winner that Nadal had by Andrew Baker potential, but I think we just have to of the United States, in the second smoked through the court on the be patient." round, and the No 3 seed, Thailand's preceding point would be a close im Henman may never have Robson will not be playing the Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, in the Wimbledon roof ready to second. won a title at the All England junior tournament at the US Open final. 4. Since Federer lost the final, the TClub, but he was instrumental but she is likely to appear at the These achievements, as well as end Centre Court delays in prize for the best fightback of the in the development of Britain's latest Australian Open in the winter. Her Robson's youth and impressive calm- tournament went to Britain's Andy schedule is being worked out by ness on court, have inspired great Wimbledon champion. Murray for coming back from two Laura Robson, who won the girls' Robson's coach, Martijn Bok, who is excitement not only in this country time for 2009 sets down to beat Richard Gasquet, title in sensational style at the week- determined to follow a prudent but abroad as well. A leading end, was inspired by an encounter course and not rush the young left- American college scouting website, Championships of France, to make the quarter- with Henman in 2004, when she was hander. tennisrecruiting.net, has noticed her finals for the first time. Murray was Robson's minders have a difficult record against high-ranking players back in the top 10, moving up two the top-ranked nine-year-old in the after which there is likely to be a time ahead as they attempt to damp- and observes that she may be eligible by Andrew Baker UK. further pause while an air-condi- places to ninth. en down the excitement to start higher education in the The pair played doubles together tioning system removes residual 5. Nadal's celebration was a first, the caused by her run to the United States in 2012. ust think how different it all at a promotional event at a London condensation from the arena. Spaniard walking across the roof of sports centre, and Robson's might have been for Rafael the television commentary boxes to Nadal and Roger Federer. Spectators and competitors mother, Kathy, was impressed J shake the hand of Spain's Crown should therefore expect a delay of by the trouble Henman took No groping for vital champi- onship-point returns in impenetra- about 20 minutes between the first Prince Felipe. "When I walked from to encourage her daughter. Tim Henman's drop of rain hitting the court and ble gloom. No concerns about the players' box to the Royal Box, on "He was so good," Mrs the resumption of play. Robson recalled. "He kept damp grass underfoot. And a the roof, I felt very comfortable. But men's singles final that started on The roof will be made up of getting to the players' box was high-fiving her after every 5,200 square metres of a strong, time and finished at tea-time scary," Nadal disclosed yesterday. "If good shot. It did wonders for flexible, translucent waterproof her confidence." role in Laura rather than bedtime. I had put my foot in the wrong That is the scenario that will material. Henman was full of Translucence is important to place I could have fallen and hurt praise for the youngster at play out next year if the All England myself." Club finds an important match allow natural light through to the the weekend. "I didn't have grass, which might otherwise suf- 6. The women's tournament was a dis- to put up with all that atten- threatened by the fickle English cli- Robson's rise mate, because the much-vaunted fer. appointment, with Ana Ivanovic tion at the age of 14," the BBC Centre Court roof should be in full In dry conditions the fabric is and Maria Sharapova the most dis- pundit said. "But Laura is a folded and stored in a "parked" title at Wimbledon, The British girl has already working order in time for the appointing of all. The tournament very self-assured girl and state at the north and south ends during which she impressed on the other side of the Championships of 2009. confirmed the feeling that, when mature. She knows what it's of the court. defeated the No 1 Atlantic, winning the Eddie Herr Had the roof been in place for the Williams sisters are fit and in all about, and has real When required, a combination seed, Melanie tournament in Florida, an event pre- Sunday's epic final, it would have the mood, the only person who can of hydraulic jacks and arms pushes Oudin viously won by Maria Sharapova been closed before play got under the trusses that support the fabric stop either of them from winning and Ana Ivanovic. way to keep the court dry, and may along rails on either side of the the title is the other. Venus, by beat- Robson's schedule is likely to not have been retracted throughout court's permanent roof. ing Serena to win her fifth title, involve plenty more travel in the the match, so unpredictable were The system is the largest of its became an all-time great. forseeable future. But that goes with the conditions. kind to be constructed anywhere in the territory, according to Roger If rain falls during a match, the 7. British qualifier Chris Eaton - the world, but Club officials are Draper, the Lawn Tennis Association court will be covered in seconds in remember him? - is on the up, yes- confident that all will be ready for chief executive. the usual way, and the roof will terday jumping 256 places in the next summer's tournament. "Laura is abroad four months a then be deployed. rankings to 405. year, and hitting four hours a day, The canopy, known as a "fold- © The Telegraph 8. On-court fashions can come back to and has her own tutor," he said. "A ing fabric concertina", has been Group, London 2008 bite you; Sharapova, in her men's lot of people might say that's a bit designed to close in 10 minutes, shorts and 'tuxedo' top lost to a hairy and scary, but if we want to Russian girl who didn't like her out- produce more winners, that's the fit. way it's got to be." 9. Wimbledon was all the richer for Taro Keens, who beat Laura Robson in her first big tournament - Marat Safin making it through to The Sunday Telegraph Center Parcs the semi-finals for the first time; if Junior Tennis Grand Prix Masters only the Russian had realised years final - in Nottingham in 2003 is now ago that there was much more to 15 and still playing tennis. She is the All England Club than "over- ranked 1,040 in the world (ITF Junior priced strawberries". He also made Girls). Keens has played seven tour- Laura Robson extremely happy by naments in 2008. Her best result this writing her a letter of apology for year was reaching the quarter-finals not being able to accompany her to of the TED in Istanbul in May. She the Champions Dinner (a letter that was then beaten by Lucy Brown and has four wins to her career record at the girls' champion has since learned off by heart). Well placed: Laura Robson's rise has also seen her been given junior level. Robson now has 28. New look: an artists impression showing how Centre Court may high-fives by Tim Henman © The Telegraph Group, 10. Wimbledon remains the greatest London 2008 look after construction . tennis show on earth.