The best tennis match ever has a vault full of learnings!

“Federer could win, but I wasn’t going to lose. If he wins, so be it. But I won’t lose.”. These were Nadal’s words to his uncle in the historic 2018 Wimbledon final when it was 2-2 during a rain break in an intense match, where Roger was looking for a record 6th Wimbledon title & Nadal was making a name in the tennis world.

Roger was ruling tennis for a few years (especially at Wimbledon) and he was winning tournaments easily.

Rafa was getting ready somewhere in the world to storm into the world of tennis and change everything.

It was almost like god created Nadal to beat Roger, as the competition wasn't good enough!

Both completely different personalities - one calm & full of talent and the other roaring with energy, almost intimidating the opponent.

When opposites come together is when magic is created on court.

And magic it was.

There was no left-handed tennis player at that time, Rafa had a strong baseline game, was a champion on clay court and he claims his only intention on court is to ‘harass’ the opponent!

Roger had to up his game if he wanted to remain on top.

And, he did that gracefully.

Tennis is about problem solving & both do that it in their style.

What ensued is 2 champions - one ruling grass and the other clay but together they won record number of grand slams.

I am writing about the 2 champions because I watched the electrifying documentary called 'Strokes of Genius' on Discovery plus. It is about the 2008 Wimbledon final, one of the best (if not the best) matches in tennis history that went on for 4 hrs & 48 minutes amid lot of drama.

That 97 mins documentary is full of life learnings that I want to share.

I remember watching this game live late into the night in utter disbelief.

Roger had equalled Bjorn Berg's Wimbledon record of 5 Wimbledon titles and was looking to create history with a 6th win.

He had stiff competition at the other end.

Rafa had dreamt about winning at Wimbledon but he had lost in 2006 & 2007. He was hurt.

Roger had lost the French open in 2008 terribly against Rafa just 1 month before this massive Wimbledon final. He was distraught and it was playing in his mind.

Before the match, Rafa was asked at the press conference – Roger says he knows what to do to beat Rafa. Do you know how to beat Roger? Rafa replied saying “No, I don’t know. I will just give my best on court”

It is a fact that those days nobody knew how to beat Roger at Wimbledon.

The 2008 Wimbledon final started with Roger losing 2 sets and the 3rd set went into a tie break with the champion staring down at a loss.

It was getting dark, cloudy, windy and Roger’s game was getting worse as well.

Then came a rain break and the players had to go off.

I get goose bumps when I think of how the champion came back after the break.

It is hard to believe that while growing up, Roger was not the best-behaved kid on court. He used to throw his racquet on court & scream to show frustration. How he overcame that over years and made such a comeback in the 2018 final is beyond belief.

Federer had never faced a situation where he had to fight to keep a Wimbledon title. It was new to him. Nobody knew how he would react.

In the 3rd set tie-breaker, Roger won the set. The crowd erupted.

He had found an opening.

In the documentary, Roger’s fitness trainer made a statement that stuck with me.

Roger is an artist who knows how to fight. Rafa is a fighter who knows to be an artist.

It was time for the 4th set and the intensity was only rising.

The quality of tennis was superlative.

A champion trying to defend his territory and a new talent trying to capture it.

The 4th set also went into a tie breaker. The crowd was chanting Roger! Rafa!

The atmosphere was electric.

Again, Nadal was getting closer to victory. Roger was learning to fight in those difficult moments. He was down and out but was fighting, giving it everything.

Nadal was 5-2 up in the tie breaker with 2 serves from him to go. Was he able to get through?

Pressure does funny things. It was a double fault.

Champions just need that sniff of pressure on the opponent & they will close it. Roger did just that, saved 2 championship points again to win the 4th set.

This tie breaker is regarded as one the best in the history of the game.

Roger not only saved the match under pressure but hit some incredible shots that were jaw dropping.

It was 2-2. Tension was high.

Here were 2 competitors fighting for something big but had the utmost respect for each other.

In the audience was Bjorg to witness his record getting broken.

It was more than a match. It was all about emotions. It was special.

5th set was on its way.

Some incredible tennis was on display when it started to rain again, and the players had to go off the court again.

Rafa’s uncle went to the locker room to make him feel better. But, Rafa had something incredible to say to him.

“Federer could win, but I wasn’t going to lose. If he wins, so be it. But I won’t lose.”. Such was his confidence. This young man was taking the champion of grass head on.

When the match resumed, both champions were trying to think about the other’s next move as they had to be a step ahead always.

It was 6-6 and, in those days, there was no tie breaker in the 5th set and it had to go on till one got a 2-set advantage over the other.

It was getting dark, but both were so engrossed in high quality tennis that even the referee thought it is better to not call off the match for the day, due to bad light.

For those who are not aware, I do not want to reveal what happened after that or who won because I want you to see it for yourself. For you to feel what happens when 2 legends of the game compete. When they don’t give up even in hopeless situations.

Did Nadal win his 1st Wimbledon? Or did Federer win his 6th record title coming back from an unimaginable situation?

Watch it!

This match will be the greatest for generations to come.

Roger recognized that it is important for him to learn, change & evolve his game to match his new competition.

Rafa revealed later that he had to play with anesthesia on his foot due to injuries & couldn’t feel his foot.

That is what champions do. Overcome pain & challenges and focus only on the goal.

Both are required to make each other better players, better people.

They have gone on to play many tournaments and have shown us how to do it by being good people, embodying virtues like humility, respect for opponents & willingness to learn. Champions teach us how to live with defeats & victories.

This documentary touched my heart and I wanted to share it with everyone.

Like I keep saying and will keep saying…there is no better teacher than sport!