Rafael Nadal Crowned Ultimate Winner at Wimbledon

Wearing an overjoyed smile at the end of a historic match, Rafael Nadal, the top-ranked tennis star and Spaniard who has won eight majors, dropped to the court, performed a somersault, jumped back onto his feet, and pumped his fist and shouted.

He brought back the gratifying memories of when he overtook the momentous Roger Federer in the epic tennis classic two years ago that will live on forever and be marked as one of the theatrical matches in men’s tennis history.

With no better evidence than jubilation, the feeling of humanity, and the sentimental reaction, Nadal declared the nicest surroundings of the U.K. his kingdom, beating Tomas Berdych in straight sets (6-3), (7-5), (6-4) to win his second Wimbledon, thanks to which he’s prominently become the endeared symbol of tennis.

It doesn’t take long for an eroded tennis player to reclaim eminence in a much tedious, exhausting, strategic game, heightening the level of consistency based on resurgence and enthusiasm. He is, suddenly, a proven and godlike man, almost ideal in his dominance that places him in the position of becoming the emperor of Grand Slams, winning the most precious event.

This was his finest moment as the world’s greatest tennis player, recovering from ailments and minor injuries that led to practical doubts on winning another Grand Slam. But now, Nadal, as we call him the King of Clay, is the second-youngest man to win his eighth Grand Slam singles title, advancing by Bjorn Borg with his splendid work ethic and perseverance.

What began with the tournament was followed by a mammoth moment, a gracious period in his lifetime, a 24-year old accompanying Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendi, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall, all whom own eight majors. If you watched for the eventual increments, then you saw Nadal conquer mastery and capitalize on prowess for winning his second title at the All England Club in three years.


So now he’s putting the bizarre relapses behind him, forgetting about the two year delay, and returning to precedence, after missing the entire tournament with sore knees a year ago. Most of us are impressed by Nadal, who is the world’s favorite to shine on the courts as 16 majors winner Federer slowly ages and weakens as the unbeatable and invincible expertise in the backhand and winning majors because of his bravery and craze.

Most of us are infatuated by his recent level of supremacy, but we're feverish to witness another unbelievable meeting with his nemesis. At this point, the spectators are intrigued by Nadal, who is quickly becoming the focal point and wishes to brighten as the greatest of all-time. As he climbs to the highest level in the game, he also cements his legacy as one of the marquees in the game.

There are times, of course, that he reminds us of the relevancy existing in a sport that attracts viewers for having the one idol that has an impact on dragging observers to witness someone similar to Agassi or Pete Sampras. What we fail to realize is that there’s an art to playing tennis, and building upon the most successful player in the game to foremost accept recognition from the masses. But he has already climbed that hurdle, earning acceptance by surviving and winning in a tiring task and reaching a peak. How many players can accomplish such a thing?

“Right now, I’m very happy to win Wimbledon…” he said. “For sure the U.S. Open is going to be one of my goals for the rest of my career. But right now, (the plan) is to enjoy the beach, fishing, golf, friends, party and Mallorca.”

Maybe it wasn’t one of the best tennis matches. Maybe it was duller than anything, but it was a substantial win for Nadal, who is clearly looking to be the greatest ever. Yet seemingly, the forehand cross-court winner lifted Nadal to the delightful moment, celebrating with his usual rite by falling to his back and embracing his fallen antagonist with classiness and strong sportsmanlike character.

He's written a nice chapter and erased the depressing images of when he lost to Federer in the 2006 and 2007 finals. Instead, he has won 14 straight matches, and has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in tennis. Also reaching 2,000 points for the win and holding 10,745 points signifies that he’s the admirable tennis player in the world. At times, he forced Berdych to forehand a shot, and caused him to commit an unforced error of the match.

Then, the biggest play, when he connected on a running forehand that quickly passed Berdych down the line, which qualified for three points and led to Nadal’s win. He would later convert the second, hitting another second serve for a backhand and took a 4-3 lead and survived each close set by playing with much emotion. He also had superb footwork and outworked Berdych, who had trouble with his footing and clumsily had difficulty in hitting groundstrokes without finding a comfortable position.

With his health and emotions, he’s inevitably hard to eliminate from contention. Before turning 25, Nadal has solidified his stance, now as the third man since Federer to achieve such a historic landmark with eight majors.

Andy Roddick Makes Us Believe in Improbability

Suddenly, the world detected a different Andy Roddick, ruling the green as well as Roger Federer.

Amid a time when tennis has converted itself into a beauty contest for beautiful female players, whose looks have attracted flirting locals, there is a surprising development for one of America's best star tennis players.

Aside from sex appeal, Roddick makes us believe he really is the closest American tennis star to moderately emerge into the next Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi of tennis.

In order to place the sport above the scale of magnetism, he’s the one American star everyone counts on to revive tennis, a sport that became less intriguing ever since Sampras was the last American man to win a Grand Slam.

Roddick arrived at a time when he was struck with tremendous amount of pressure, to compensate in the place of Sampras as America’s next tennis icon. But he faltered as critics labeled him as a prick—that indeed was precisely truthful.

Pathetically, there have been numerous of times Roddick moaned more than converted on serves, and distilled lime excuses that never resolved periodic collapses.

As if he was a fussing kid, his mouth was bigger and gasped more scrutiny than the miserable failures. He incarnated arrogance, believing he was the best player in the world and that he could rule the game like no other.

It came as no surprise, but the erroneous demeanor just knocked him off and sugarcoated the nature of Roddick evolving into America’s next attraction.

Instead, it turned out the native of Omaha, Nebraska was a zilch of trash talking, rather than allowing the game to come itself. Remember, he argued with a Wimbledon umpire about a line call, thinking he was slick enough to reverse the call on a ball that never touched the line.

Remember, he cried at the Australian Open, foisted blame on the umpires, verbally criticized calls, reminding us of the legendary John McEnroe, who was a pest and ripped umpires with his overbearing verbal attacks.

Roddick even articulated and looked dumbfounded in a hilarious postgame interview, and told the press he would feel good after a few drinks, following a collapsed and dismantling loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open in 2007.

Nevertheless, he never surrendered or displayed softness, but always stayed competitive. Three years ago, he faced Federer in the U.S. Open, literally confronting and taunting arguably the world’s greatest tennis player in a face-to-face duel by moving close to the nets to intimidate Federer.

As the world has watched Roddick perpetrate absurd nature, he has enacted likable deeds with competitiveness.

Although he’s very outspoken, sensitive and intuitive, he’s a savant of U.S. tennis, a player truly admired. Knowing that Roddick is a probable savior of tennis, and is our last resort in capturing a miracle achievement, no longer can we bash him for his sensitivity, but we should credit him for his charismatic leadership among elite players of our country.


He is the one player who can revive tennis, attain a title, finally acting like Agassi and Sampras, arriving as our icon in the regal era when Federer and defending champ Rafael Nadal dominated the soil.

The two have cultivated a superior sporting rivalry, which was appealing in last year’s Wimbledon and will be marked as one of the greatest epic matches in the history of tennis.

Of course, times are different and the event is depleted without Nadal, who withdrew from Wimbledon because of tendinitis in both knees.

This was a heartbreaker to many desiring a repeat of last year’s epic matchup in the middle of heavy rains, which led to delays, but also a breathtaking finish, stunningly won by Nadal to remove Federer as champion after his glorious five straight Wimbledon victories.

Storylines this year are focusing in heavily on Roddick. So will this be the year?

Well, we’ll have more information by Sunday.

But until then, he just secured the most consequential win Wednesday, defeating Lleyton Hewitt in Wimbledon quarterfinals. In fairness, it's a huge progression in his career, finally arriving as the player perceived as when he first entered as a pro.

He surprised us all, with a 6-3, 6-7 (12-10), 7-6, (7-1), 4-6, 6-4 and advances to face No. 3 Andy Murray in the semifinals.

Questions remain, however.

Will Roddick surpass Murray to arrange a Sunday meeting with Federer, if thinking logically and using the common sense method? Then, it would be time to corroborate if Roddick could merely upset Federer in a year that automatically was authorized to him, without any threats of Nadal.

Meanwhile, some have suggested that Roddick’s chances are dwindling, but not all things are what they appear to be. In other words, he’s close enough to secure his first Grand Slam title, which will render much in our society by restoring interest among humankind in general.

At 26, he’s almost as renowned as ever, like he was just introduced to the highest level of tennis greats from all over globally.

There’s a possibility that Roddick could like McEnroe by winning a title in the late period. At 25, McEnroe won his last major, and if Roddick wins, he’ll reach triumph a year younger than McEnroe.

Since Roddick hired Larry Stefanki as his new coach, he's adjusted his diet, losing a good 15 pounds and elaborated a more efficient understanding, under Stefanki’s strong guidance. He’s not the same Roddick, now married and indicating great play in his prime.

Usually, he blows opportunities when rising close to a climatic scenario, but on this particular day, Roddick held on, nearly blowing it in a near-collapse of a fifth-set showdown.

But he sustained the most gratifying win, capping a career-best 43-ace match that dispatched an injured Hewitt, who was hampered with pain in his leg.

Still, Roddick defeated one of tennis’ premier players, and won a big game when it mattered. This increases his probability of shocking the world, especially if he can advance past beloved home favorite Andy Murray, and subsequently pulls off a shocking finals win.

Anything is possible, if Roddick maintains poise and confidence until Sunday comes to a close. But it’s unknown how well he matches against Federer—if he faces the Swiss master in the finals after having already lost twice to Federer in two Wimbledon finals and one U.S. Open final.

The status presents a much eager Roddick, as he’s optimistic that this might be the year to finally become a legitimate American icon in tennis, something that he has been in search of.

You don’t want to speak too soon, but Roddick might becoming America's greatest tennis savior, if he can hang on and grab the improbable.

At least I can utter that I like his chances. He’s a man of improbability, I might add.