Why the 2008 Wimbledon final will always be unmatched

In 2008, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two best tennis players of their generation (and possibly ever), met in the Wimbledon final. What followed was arguably the greatest tennis match of all time, but what made it so special?
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Video courtesy of:
ATP
Tennis Channel
Wimbledon
ESPN
Fox Sports

[@TomPorter]

Federer's backhand to save a Nadal match point in set 4 has to be one of the best shots ever made in tennis

[@nickshand]

It was insane. 2 of the best shots ever. This one and the one before by Nadal.

[@520LUNNY]

It took balls of steel to rip it like that with 5 consecutive Wimbledons on the line.

[@Lance54689]

Forget about between the legs stuff. That bh passing shot down the line, on the run, down match point, is the single greatest shot of all time. And probably the best back to back shots of all time. And I would say a tie with '80 Wimbledon final 4th set tiebreak for best tiebreak of all time.

[@masterofdisaster9194]

@@520LUNNYhe already had 5, was trying to make it 6

[@iceman1125]

most clutch shot ever

[@randolphpinkle4482]

Tennis is like boxing, but without the violence. Usually.

[@trueh]

What are you talking about? There's a lot of violence against the ball ;-)

[@ManuelPorcell-el9cx]

The match that had everything: The top 2, 3rd consecutive final, all climates; Sun, wind, rain and darkness thrown in as they performed under high mental pressure and still were able to exhibit the highest precision tennis from start to finish! 👏

[@Poluxs123]

I'd love a scoreline on screen when u talking about the sets and points. Easier to follow along. Great video! Keep on improving!

[@kevinc7128]

@Poluxs123 go watch highlights. he did a good job,you try doing a KZbin video, then you can be a critic.

[@perrywebb5833]

I agree

[@Aemmeroli1997]

15 minutes of rambling and the guy manages to not show a single full ball exchange of the match. It‘s also hard to understand in general because he mumbles.

[@johnschlaefflin2100]

Remember being blown away by the level of play these two warriors kept rising to. Very good analysis Sir, well done.

[@DNrSquar3d]

Thank you. I didn't know I needed this retrospective until I watched your video. My aunt, who I was closer to more than anyone else in the world, died just over a month ago. We watched the ATP tour passionately back when I was in high school, and this finals was one of the last matches we watched together while I still lived with her. This summed up beautifully why we were so invested in tennis at the time, and why this match was something we'd often come back to even over a decade after. Watching this felt like hearing her talk about the sport passionately again, and feels like a step to coming to terms with her passing. Thank you so much.

[@theunitrader4051]

I was 9 watching this live as a big nadal fan while my mum was team federer, i remember the joy of that Rafa win. Now I’m 25 i still watch this game back just because of how insane the level, the script and everything was, especially now federer has retired and Rafa is coming towards ending his career. Just reminds you of the good old days, two gladiators fighting through difficulty to produce pure magic

[@elbelb2296]

Thank you for acknowledging the intricacies and mental difficulties of tennis. It’s so under represented and this was done beautifully. Keep it up.

[@markaven5249]

I completely agree with you on the style thing. If you watch Djoker vs Nadal, it's like watching more or less the same-ish kind of style to a degree, but Federer was more like a Neo-Sampras. Djoker and Nadal is like comparing Orange to Red, while Federer and Nadal is like comparing Blue to Red, it was really entertaining to have the very highly contrasted styles. I would say 2019 Wimbledon, but both of these men were at their primes in 2008. Also, Federer in 2006 has the historically winningest win percentage of all time, I'm so lucky to be a spectator of that year, it was more inspiring than any year ever in tennis. I would say Sampras Agasse was huge, and the Sampras Federer 2008 exhibition match was pure entertainment as well.

[@unaitxo]

I get goosebumps just thinking of That Final.

[@emefbe]

Amazing video, thanks! Wish you'd included (at the time of talking about the sets, since they are shown at the end) some key points like that FH pass Rafa made in the tiebreak soon followed back the BH passing shot from Federer to save Championship Point that eventually led to the fifth set. Electric stuff!

[@davidegemelli202]

really good video man. Keep it up

[@calvinpage_pickleball]

Excellent video bro 🎉

[@tomedwardstechnews]

Loved this - great video... really nicely structured and scripted. Keep up the good work!

[@joshsmith7770]

Excellent breakdown, you earned a subscriber for sure

[@karthikeyanparasuraman9337]

Crazy video! Really really well put!

[@nmancero]

Thank you for this video and The intro!!!! ❤

[@agustinlucchini9802]

Amazing vid!!!

[@TheLegenDacster]

Dude, that is a brilliant analysis. BRAVO. It's very enlightening and appreciated.

[@nickbaker5296]

Hey you kill it I’m glad I discovered your channel

[@jacoolivier9244]

You should also mention that they played each other in the final of RG and Wimbledon for 3 years in a row. Rafa always winning clay and Fed always winning grass. This was literally the pinnacle of a rivalry that was stoked for 3-4 years. Never seen that since then

[@yussepig6629]

Agree that was part of the thrill . Two kings of different kingdoms until one comes knocking on the other door for invasion.

[@felixthompson534]

You are very knowledgeable and well spoken about tennis, which is exceedingly rare for people who don’t focus primarily on it

[@gregutz4284]

Incredible. great stuff

[@rmaheshwary]

If Nadal would not have won, the 2008 final will not be as iconic as it is today.

[@BOZ_11]

rubbish, 2 points the other way and its the same match, different result

[@anewt72690]

Fact, though. It was a massive changing of the guard -- Federer was the longest-reigning #1 ever, and Nadal the longest-reigning #2 ever. Feder had won FIVE straight Wimbledons, including the last two against Nadal. Nadal winning this match and FINALLY becoming #1 was the Hollywood ending to this chapter of tennis.

[@BOZ_11]

@@anewt72690 it wasn't a changing of the guard since Roger went on to win 3 more Wimbledons. Nadal only won one more. On hard courts, Roger was also way better than Nadal, and remained so until 2020

[@diegoochoa3550]

​@@BOZ_11 Way better is a massive exaggeration, considering Nadal won more slams on hard courts than Fed did after this, including beating Fed at the Australian Open less than a year later...

[@BOZ_11]

@@diegoochoa3550 11 Vs 6 hardcourt majors. Nearly double. Nearly double = way better. Nadal would have to have his whole career again to match Fed here. Cry more

[@jeanmorin3247]

Very good commentator. Thanks!

[@nangephriam1211]

The final i cannot forget. Rooted for Federer to win 6 consecutive Wimbledon. Hurt when Nadal looks to win eventually. In my opinion it is one of the two greatest match ever played.

[@Paul-je6pw]

Thanks for this at, the time i missed the match due to work, your analysis helped capture essence of the match.Subbed. Please do a Kobe video the ultimate student of the game of basketball, at least 45 minutes to do him justice. Why has Lebron turned the Lakers into a circus ?

[@josephhoyle5731]

very good video as always but i found the nonlinear storytelling a bit jumbled in the build up and harder to follow still very entertaining

[@itsnotkrishan]

the strokes of genius documentary is a must watch

[@walkerrowe9534]

Good analysis. Interesting too.

[@mykaeleus7826]

When are we gonna get some Combat Sports stuff from yah?

[@curtis0729]

But what if there were 3?

[@KeithJawahir]

Just found this channel, looking forward to more of your work. I think you might find Ronnie O'Sullivan interesting.

[@meshal.666]

Now the final of the 2024 Olympics is the best

[@tahirqkhan]

the best match i saw was Borg-McEnroe, Wimbledon 1980 final. Borg won but McEnroe came out the winner. He saved several championship points. An amazing game.

[@jawsjawsjawsjaws]

Loved this, from a serious tennis fan.

[@condealexandervonhasslerra5527]

I remember maquenroe saying that if nadal wins this game it doesn’t matter what points on atp says, he is n1 in the world. (With this victory Nadal still remained second in atp

[@coulie27]

The two greatest players of all time at the height of their powers. Fed at the end of his prime, Nadal at the beginning of his... with the question of whether Rafa could overtake Roger on grass, after just crushing him on clay. And they absolutely delivered -- every single point was an edge-of-seat, potential momentum changer. 😮😮😊😊

[@ianzagorac8276]

Why do you think that was the end of Federer's prime? Sure if you just care about grand slams... he didn't win too many after 2008... he was winning more earlier in his career, but his win % and all of his stats got better up until the mid 2010s.

[@loicalex]

The two GOATS you said ? hahahaahahaahahahaahahahahahah

[@letrantrung1]

2008 - federer was only...27 years old... Do you see how grandpa Novak is playing at 36, 37 y.o?

[@coulie27]

@@letrantrung1 Natural prime is 23-28 for virtually everyone, give or take a few years at most, in all pro sport. The greats stay great longer because they find ways to win and keep form -- Federer was elite until 39, outplaying Rafa and Nole back to back even at 38, while 5-6 yrs older -- but each in their prime was better than after. The illusion they were still as good when older was because the talent dropped off dramatically after the Rafa/Nole/Andy/Stan gen. The Thiem/Dimitrov/Raonic gen gave everyone a career extension, and though the Meddy/Tsitsi/Zverev/Kyrgios gen was somewhat better they still created a "next gen" carve out to prop them up. Allowed Novak to collect half or more of his slams after age 31+, playing deep in many tourneys against the likes of Karatsev, Goffin, Fucsovics, Berrettini, Kyrgios, Musetti, etc, sometimes not even facing top 10 players, on top of the overall weakness of the field.

[@mrhatman675]

​@@coulie27Djokovic had it so I easy after 2018

[@birandkoray]

what is the 2nd and 3rd best tennis matches?

[@createyouremotion-cw3qw]

imo wimby 2014 is the best then wimby 2008, 3rd aussie open final 2017

[@jovan9989]

I'm sorry but one of those crazy 5 hour Djokovic - Nadal matches takes the cake.

[@axscs1178]

Nadal, at his peak, was a force of nature. GOAT

[@PaulKininmonth]

Fab episode - unmatched!

[@spizzz2]

good video, 2 points of advice. - look at the camera more when you cut to yourself - include score in clips , and preferably the winning shot of the sets

[@eriktempelman2097]

This match had it all. Only one to come close IMHO was John McEnroe winning over Björn Borg in... 1982 or so?

[@cheefussmith9380]

Agree entirely. Mt wife and I were out of town watching this. We had to check out of the beach house so we stopped watching. Drove 2 hours home and it was still going! Such a classic. I really regret not seeing them in person. Won’t make same mistake with this next gen

[@hectorhervas3749]

The 2023 final is Up there

[@akaRicoSanchez]

Years later I am still annoyed that they did not adjourn the match at like 6-6 in the 5th. The center court had no artificial light at that time and even video cameras that are ridiculously more sensitive than the human eye still had trouble picking up what was going on on court at the end of the match. The last few games were basically unplayable and had it been earlier in the tournament they would have adjourned the match for sure. It's sad that this epic battle ended with a coin toss and one that was slightly loaded against Federer at that. Slightly loaded because of play style but also by virtue of being older (though low light vision degrades markedly from about 30 year old and he was not there yet, being 5 years older than Nadal still put him at a disadvantage).

[@badmanskill1112]

You think Federer was at a disadvantage because he was 27 and not 22 like Nadal? That's a bit of a stretch.

[@sameerkashyap1750]

It is the narratives. It is the quality of tennis. It's the conclusion in the darkness. It's that picture of Nadal standing on the top of a platform with the lighting making him look like God's chosen one at the end.

[@anielloliguori6312]

It was a great game, however, got to say McEnroe v Borg 1980 was the greatest and most dramatic! Not to mention the skill level i.e. out and out serve and volley specialist against baseliner! Fed was mainly a base liner who ventured to the net occasionally!

[@thedeathcake]

Mate, you need to play squash

[@erandeser5830]

A good story well told.

[@sillyhead5]

Every time the unstoppable force v. immovable object metaphor is evoked, I always hear and think about Federer as the unstoppable force and Nadal the immovable object. Interesting that you switched them.

[@saadahmad8059]

Think about it like this: Fed was there before Nadal, hence, the immovable object. Nadal came later on scene, therefore, the unstoppable force.

[@vice1671]

Check out 2001 Wimbledon, a crazy story

[@drbobinski1]

Agree that this match ranks among the best. But....2019 final Federer/Djokovic topped it. Federer has two match points on his serve at 5-4 in the 4th set. Djokovic passes Federer with an unbelievable running backhand cross court to bring the game to deuce. Djokovic goes on to win the 4th set pushing the match to a 5th set. Then wins the match in a 5th set tiebreak on the very first year that the 5th set tiebreak rule is instituted. The match had all the elements you cite as necessary to produce such a moment in sport.

[@elroyweiss6351]

I saw this an said "this should be great" but all it was is "YOU" !!! what a waste !!!

[@warwickhoy456]

I'd rank this as equal to Federer vs Andy Roddick where it went to five sets with one of the longest fifth sets ever

[@GrantPearson]

The only result sweeter than this is the 2019 Wimbledon final.

[@sandeepb3008]

I think 2009 Federer vs Roddick is a close competition

[@wizardofrosss]

Why are you wearing an English jersey?

[@but1z]

beginning of 2005 he didnt make aus open final

[@mrsplanetmaster9]

The great memories we have of FEDEX and RAFA dawg, stunning performances from these LEGENDS..thx guys🎾💚

[@perrywebb5833]

As a federer fan, i hated the outcome feom a competitive stand point but in my older age looking back there is many legends in tennis. But my top 3, in no particular ordet are: novak, federer and Nadal. You could make a case for any of them. Roger and Nadal had a closer friendship and level of respect for each other. Novak wasnt as close to them

[@zvonkosolin8627]

2 minutes into the video and you know this is someone who knows and watch tennis... great video great points, lot of todays "fans" should watch this to learn little history behind this legendary match... prior to this one holder of the greatest match ever was Borg/McEnroe 1980 Wimbledon final... great video keep up the good work 👍

[@zrikizrikic9126]

Meanwhile Noval is gathering Tournaments like crazy

[@bryndt6647]

Isn't it crazy that we lived in an era where Federer/Nadal, Messi/Ronaldo, Lebron/Kobe/Curry, Phelps, Brady, etc. Most sports GOAT existed in this era.

[@zrikizrikic9126]

So no Novak... interesting

[@user-vr1nd3ep3s]

But one GOAT reigns supreme, and his name is Novak Djoković

[@canski5646]

Fed had mostly short rallies he couldn't return deep from corners with his one handed backhand ..When u watch djoki/ nadal that was some monster playing both having 2 handed backhands..Fed had no chance agaisnt nadal/djoki only winning 33% of his GS mataches agaisnt both!!! Same with only winning 33% of his GS finals too!! Fed was weak mentally, didn't think when he played and never evolved his sqaush game

[@kweizi5712]

That Wimbledon 2008 final showed Federer's fighting ability coming from 2 sets down. He almost nearly won too. I know he has lost many close matches against his 2 biggest rivals. I don't think he's weak, it's just that Nadal and Djokovic was stronger and perhaps more fearless during the tight moments and it has been showed time and time again. It should also be noted that those 2 were also for the most part playing against the player most regarded as the GOAT (at that time), so extra motivation to beat him.

[@canski5646]

@@kweizi5712 fed was winning because he was in goldilocks era when sampras/agassi were leaving and he got a easy run with some confidence 2003-2009 with his sqaush game..Once djoki and nadal got going fed faded away with his sqaush game

[@GrantPearson]

Didn't Federer claim to have mono during this match? Yeah I'm sure he was able to go 5 sets against a prime Nadal while suffering from mono.

[@KeyserSoze23]

Tennis is like MMA, but without the violence. Usually.

[@cabwaylingo_]

love your channel dude! growing up this final was both the most incredible thing i'd ever seen and the most devastating thing i'd ever seen bc i was a hardcore federer guy lol .that match was HUGE, it felt huge and it WAS huge. 4th set was biblical, like right there i was like YEPPP this is the greatest tennis ever played and then came the 5th set... my goddd

[@Ana-ud5km]

2019 final, best by far 🚀🚀🚀

[@SURGASURGE12]

Some people in the comments are arguing about this not being the greatest match ever, but let's be honest, the only two matches in the conversation are either Wimbledon 2008 or the Australian Open 2012.

[@TheJarman9]

Agreed. I always think of the 2012 AO as a contender to this match. Was a brutal one.

[@yussepig6629]

No it’s either 2008 Wimbledon or the Borg McEnroe 1980

[@createyouremotion-cw3qw]

@@yussepig6629 2014 wimby final?

[@markwemple1699]

Someone is way too young to remember Borg v McEnroe. This isn't near that!

[@marcell.3058]

We don't want to know about this gossiping host here but to see the match...

[@mecongberlin]

Definitely a good match, but it does not beat Borg - McEnroe Wimbledon 1980. Especially when you watched it live on TV.

[@blakeelliott408]

07 finial had higher quality tennis in my opinion. 08 just had more drama

[@Sito3636]

Nice video! I also loved your realistic rebuild video of the Rockies you did a couple years ago. Idk if you would be interested in making more of that type of content, but I thought it was a great idea.

[@yussepig6629]

By far the greatest match ever. Quality was crazy and both are shot-makers. .

[@darioabrador9085]

Head to head between these two… nadal for sure

[@KDA8919]

When he says he's prepared to explain in 20 minutes or more about why this might be the greatest game ever, but the video is under 19 minutes long. Absolute Liar.

[@leroyrodgers6089]

All of the best matches I have seen in Wimbledon include Federer losing for some reason and it really irks me.

[@yussepig6629]

He won 8 times!

[@jdizzler]

Federer was a total broken mess at this point. Quality was a bit damp for the first 2 sets.

[@createyouremotion-cw3qw]

teah fed was flat first 2 set but after that he played unbelievable tennis. Last 3 sets were amazing tennis.

[@Charismaniac]

Unmatched? That would be the 2014 Wimbledon final.

[@createyouremotion-cw3qw]

thank you, that final is waaay under rated the stats winners-ue were insane.

[@michaelgarza8271]

The word is "match." It's not a tennis game. It's a match. Game, set, and match. I'm tired of this recent trend of incorrect language. I'm referring to the thumbnail. Thanks for caring about the great sport of tennis. This match was magical.

[@leahime]

2:44 this is why fighting games are so fun to spectate!! 1v1 makes everything feels so personal

[@pacoramon9468]

Now finals are boring, Alcaraz just beat Nole in the first 3 sets.

[@normadesmond6017]

Great match? OF course. But for me the final of 1980 will always be the greatest.

[@Khangst]

Idk man, alcaraz vs djokovic wimbledon 2024 was super duper close

[@huzcer]

closer than Alcaraz - Djokovic at the ATP Finals for sure!

[@craigduncan3435]

Athletic snooker

[@TheMap1997]

Nah, 2019 Federer vs Djokovic is the best Wimbledon's final ever

[@johnklaus9111]

Did you see the goran ivanesevic vs sampras wimbledon final? until you do, stop calling matches great. 😊

[@johnklaus9111]

Nadal and Federer used new tech to make the game boring. Others caught up and now the game is dying.

[@canski5646]

greatest match was nadal vs djoki 2012 Aussie final. 2 titans with 2 handed backhamds. Fed played sqaush and never had any real rallies becaue u can't return deep in corners with one hand Thank god nadal and djoki came along to save tennis from Fedsqaush

[@badmanskill1112]

This guy is clearly biased saying in the description they're the two best players of all time. Novak has the most GSs and that's what everyone used to agreed on for who is the GOAT.

[@jeffrey3498]

Greatest match ever!

[@agentlemanotcho]

This is by far not the best tennis match. But it actually shows why Fedal fans dislike Djokovic so much

[@sasook]

sweet sweet copium

[@yussepig6629]

Djokovic’s tennis is so dull in comparison to these two

[@boxingjerapah]

It's definitely the best ever match, but as a Fed fan, I still cant bear to revisit it.... even after all these years.

[@user-vr1nd3ep3s]

Wimbledon 2019 was better

[@dzonibravo7867]

2008.Nadal was just a 22 year old clay specialist, not yet at his prime. All that talking and not a word about that?

[@kweizi5712]

You are wrong. That was his prime because that was the start of his rise to number 1. He beat Federer again in a GS final at the AO in 2009 and sweeping virtually all the tournaments during the clay court seasons.

[@BOZ_11]

"Clay specialist" - By '08 he'd appeared in 3 consecutive Wimbledon finals, donkey

[@sasook]

You can’t be #1 ranking by playing well on only 1 surface. He was far beyond a clay specialist by this point.

[@dzonibravo7867]

@@kweizi5712 you can't be in the prime and on the rise in the same time. Nadal prime was 2010-2013

[@kweizi5712]

@@dzonibravo7867 Duh! He beat Federer at FO2008, W2008 then and followed up with another win at AO2009. That is 3 grand slams in a space of less than a year. If you don't count that as part of his prime then there is something wrong with your logic!

[@zrikizrikic9126]

Actualy AO Đoković- Nadal epic marathon,was better..

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

Listen , Student , who is most successful tennis player by any parameter ? Titles , time on ATP weeks as no.1 , Head to head with these 2 bozos , who is most complete inside and outside ? GOAT -Novak Djokovic . He came 20 days after knee operation straight to Wimbledon FINAL !

[@saikat93ify]

I am a big fan of Nadal but the Wimbledon finals in 2009 2012 semi final 2014 2018 semi final between Nadal an Djokovic 2019 final 2023 final were all brilliant For some reason, these matches were not hyped outside the tennis media as much as 2008 Wimbledon final.

[@yussepig6629]

If you really were a Nadal fan you would know that the standard of the 2008 match was far above those others. You’re likely a bitter Nole fan

[@saikat93ify]

@@yussepig6629 Nope. I’m a Nadal fan, and more importantly a tennis fan. The 2008 final got extended because Nadal missed a few match points in the third set or else it would have been a straight set victory. Also having a favourite among them doesn’t mean I don’t like Federer and Djokovic

[@yussepig6629]

Greatest final ever , greatest heights of tennis played by the most exciting players ever