Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's reign Sunday with an epic back-and-forth, five-set triumph in London, becoming the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year.
The left-hander beat Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 to halt the Swiss player's five-year title streak at Wimbledon and 65-match run on grass.
Rafael Nadal prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 in the longest final in Wimbledon history.
"I lost the last two finals -- close finals," Nadal told the BBC after the match. "But he's still the No. 1. He's still the best. He's still five-time champion here. Right now I have one, so for me it's very, very important day."
Nadal fell onto his back in exhilaration at the baseline. With his shirt caked with turf, he congratulated Federer and climbed into the players' box to embrace his entourage. He had tears in his eyes as he grabbed a Spanish flag and went to the edge of the Royal Box to shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain.
The 4 hour, 48-minute match -- interrupted during the third set by a one-hour rain delay and a shorter break in the fifth -- was the longest championship match in Wimbledon history. It spanned more than seven hours with the rains delays and was the first final to be played past 9 p.m. local time, ending in near darkness.
"I tried everything," Federer said. "Rafa is a deserving champion. He just played fantastic. It was the worst opponent on the best court."
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