London: Newly crowned Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Roger Federer, the five times winner he dethroned in an epic final on Sunday.
Special: Wimbledon 2008
The Spaniard said it had been his misfortune to play in the same era as the man he regards as the greatest player, having lost the previous two finals to the Swiss. "Well, it is disappointing for me I am in the same time as the best player in history, Roger Federer," Nadal told the packed Centre Court after his five-set win, secured in the dying light after nearly five rain-interrupted hours of play.
"So it's very tough always to play against him, especially here. I had lots of chances to win the match (earlier) but I just congratulate Roger, because he always fights unbelievably," said Nadal.
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World number one Federer had looked on the verge of losing the match in three sets and saved two championship points in the fourth-set tiebreak before taking the match into a fifth. "His attitude is always excellent when he wins, when he loses. So just thank you very much, Roger," said the 22-year-old, who added his first Wimbledon crown to four successive French Open titles, the last three of which he won in finals against Federer.
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Asked if the victory was more special because of the quality of Sunday's match, Nadal said: "For sure, to beat Roger here after his five years. I lost the last two finals, close finals. But he's still the number one. He's still the best. He's still five times champion here.''
"Right now I have one, so for me it's a very, very important day."
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