The year 2008 was a special one for Rafael Nadal. Fresh from winning his fourth consecutive French Open title, Nadal had made it to the finals of the Wimbledon Championships. However, he was due to face Roger Federer in the summit clash, who had beaten Nadal in the finals of Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007.

In a match lasting four hours and 48 minutes, the Spaniard avenged his previous defeats by overcoming the challenge of Federer in five sets of 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. The win handed Nadal his maiden Wimbledon title.

Rafael Nadal describes his victory over Roger Federer

Talking about that match, Nadal, in his book, Rafa: My Story, said, “Roger won the toss. He chose to serve. I didn’t mind. I like my rival to start serving at the beginning of a match. If my head is strong, if his nerves are getting to him, I know I have a good chance of breaking him. I thrive on the pressure. I don’t buckle, I grow stronger on it. The closer to the precipice I am, the more elated I feel.”

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Further, he added, “Of course I feel nerves, and of course the adrenaline and the blood are pumping so hard I can feel them from my temples to my legs. It’s an extreme state of physical alertness, but conquerable. I did conquer it. The adrenaline beat the nerves. My legs didn’t give way. They felt strong, ready to run all day. I was bristling. I was locked away in my solitary tennis world but I’d never felt more alive.” 

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Nadal’s heartbreaking Wimbledon withdrawal

Earlier this month, the Spaniard was aiming to win his 23rd Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. He started the tournament on a positive note, breezing through the opening rounds. Further, he had a thrilling quarterfinal victory over Taylor Fritz in five sets.

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However, Nadal had to withdraw from the tournament before his semifinal match against Nick Kyrgios. The former World Number 1 suffered an abdominal injury during his quarterfinal win. Despite the injury, Nadal has intended to fight for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season in Flushing Meadows next month.