Nadal is happy just to get close to Federer
Rafael Nadal seemed happy just to get close.
The second-seeded Spaniard pushed Roger Federer to five sets before losing 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2 Sunday in the Wimbledon final.
Nadal had his chances at the All England Club, but he still couldn’t stop Federer from matching Bjorn Borg’s five straight Wimbledon titles.
“Playing against one of the best in history on this surface, having two chances for a win, I’m playing at a similar level,'’ Nadal said. “I can say nothing bad about my tournament.
“Today was a little bit disappointing because I had good chances. Tomorrow, I will be happy about my tournament and about my game.'’
There was plenty to be happy about. Nadal lost the first and third sets on tiebreakers and broke the top-ranked Swiss player four times.
Nadal, who prefers slower clay courts to the grass, then held break points at 1-1 and 2-2 in the final set. Federer saved two in each game, then converted a break point with a forehand winner to go ahead 4-2.
“I didn’t feel I played worse than him from the baseline,'’ Nadal said. “Maybe if we have to find any difference, maybe the difference is the serve.
“He served better than me and that’s important on every surface, but on this surface more.'’
But Nadal’s performance at Wimbledon showed he is getting better on grass _ a remarkable achievement considering he plays so little on Federer’s favourite surface.
Nadal has played four times at Wimbledon, only twice after entering the grass court warmup at The Queens Club.
Even after a gruelling schedule that forced him to play on each of the last seven days because of rain delays, Nadal attacked Federer throughout. He stood near or even inside the baseline to receive serves, and his coach said little separated the two.
“A little bit of luck,'’ said Toni Nadal, who is also Nadal’s uncle. “Rafael had two 15-40s and I think if Rafael had won one of these, maybe now Rafael would be the champion.'’
Nadal lost to Federer in four sets in last year’s Wimbledon final, but Nadal is getting closer.
Unlike most players, the 21-year-old Nadal knows what it is like to beat Federer regularly. Nadal leads Federer 8-5 overall and beat the top-ranked Swiss in the final at Roland Garros the past two years.
“I win my share. He wins his,'’ Federer said. “We’ve been at the top for over 100 weeks together. It is building up to one of maybe the great rivalries.'’
Toni Nadal thinks there is still more to come from his nephew, and Nadal is concentrating on proving him right.
“A comparison with Roger right now is not possible yet because he has 11 Grand Slams, me three,'’ Nadal said. “But, well, I am young. I am improving every season and try to continue improving every day.'’
The champion agreed.
“He deserves a title here and he’s not going to get any worse,'’ Federer said.