The battle of all battles

I didn't expect last night's Wimbledon finals between Federer and Nadal to be the epic battle that it turned out to be.

After seeing Federer fall way behind two sets to love, I thought all was lost come the third set and that the five-time champion would lose in straight sets. But I completely underestimated Federer's determination and tenacity. Having fallen asleep while waiting for the first rain delay to end, I woke up more than an hour later to find that the third set had been extended into a tie-break. And, lo and behold! Federer was up 5-2! When he took that set and then the fourth as well, that was the only time I sensed something extraordinary was happening. Aware that there would be no tiebreak in the deciding set, I felt the familiar nervousness creep into my veins: my hands grew cold and clammy and I even had to turn off the electric fan in my room even it was an unusually muggy evening. (It was also just as well that I turned of the fan; I could hear the tv better.)

Actually I found myself curiously calm throughout the first four sets. Although I was naturally rooting for him, I had no qualms about Federer losing this match. He had after all hauled in an incredible total of five Wimbledon crowns in straight years no less!--a super achievement in itself. (Personally, I'd dare Nadal to try and match that record. But I don't think so!) A sixth straight in my opinion would simply be icing on the cake, so to speak.

In any case, that last set was something. There are no words to describe it so I'm not even going to attempt to relate what unfolded during that decisive set.

As for the results I just had to feel sorry for Federer at the end. He did look so disappointed and close to tears; there was a slight droop at the corners of his mouth as he stood there on center courting during the trophy awarding ceremonies hugging his runner's-up trophy. But I felt proud of him more than ever, more than after any of his more impressive victories in the past. He refused to relinquish his crown meekly, never gave up and fought it out until the end, showing what a great champion he is despite this loss.

In fact, I find some articles about the match curiously worded. The title of one reads "Nadal steals Federer's Wimbledon crown." The use of the word "steals" seems to imply that Nadal was a thief, that he took by force what did not or does not belong to him, that Federer is actually the rightful owner of the Wimbledon crown. I wonder if the wording was deliberate, chosen by a reporter who is secretly a Federer fan. And then there is the use of the cliche "third time lucky". In a way, Nadal was lucky. It was difficult to say who would eventually triumph or deserved the title more. Both played superbly well but as matches have to go, somebody has to gain and then win championship point. Although lady luck sided with Nadal this time around, I must say that there were no losers this time around.