?He Destroyed Me..? – 15 Years After Momentous Final, Roger Federer Opens up About the Wimbledon Night That Appeared to Go For Eternity Against Rafael Nadal

As the curtains of history pulled back to reveal the illustrious career of Roger Federer, the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon’s Centre Court witnessed a momentous standing ovation for the Swiss Maestro on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview with BBC’s Sue Barker, the 41-year-old tennis legend took a walk down memory lane, reminiscing his debut at Wimbledon’s Centre Court in 2001, where he stunned his idol Pete Sampras in a five-set epic battle.

In this captivating conversation, Federer delved into his debut in the iconic stadium, his rivalry with Rafael Nadal, and the heart-wrenching 2008 Wimbledon final, where Federer faced his arch-rival in a match often hailed as one of the greatest ever played in history.

Roger Federer recalls the battle of titans of the epic 2008 Wimbledon final

As the interview delved into the memories of the 2008 Wimbledon final, Federer reminisced with a mix of nostalgia and determination. He talked about the challenges he faced, trailing by two sets early in the match and recalled Nadal’s dominant victory over him in the previous year’s French Open final.

Federer candidly expressed, “It was hard. I had a difficult start to the match. I was 4:6, 4:6 behind. I remembered how he destroyed me in the French Open final. I then clearly lost 5 sets in a row against him. Somehow I managed to fight back and into the 5th set to come.” Despite the uncertainty of the duration, both players persevered. Federer added, “We didn’t know how long it would take. We just kept playing. In the end, I had a few chances,” as reported by SRF.

In the face of defeat, Federer’s words demonstrated his unwavering spirit and refusal to succumb to disappointment. He spoke of the match with reverence, saying, “A year later, I was allowed to play another epic final against Andy Roddick. I played some incredible matches here.” Federer’s grace and humility in the aftermath of the loss endeared him to millions of fans worldwide.

However, the same can be said about his first memorable victory on the grass courts of SW19.

Federer’s memorable entry onto Wimbledon’s Centre Court

In the same interview, Federer also talked about how he defeated Pete Sampras. Recalling his maiden appearance at Wimbledon’s iconic Centre Court in 2001, Federer couldn’t help but express his awe and disbelief. Facing his idol, Pete Sampras, Federer’s hands were shaking with nerves as he stepped onto the hallowed turf.

Reflecting on that moment, Federer revealed, “I didn’t know what I was doing and thought: ‘Wow, it’s Pete Sampras who strikes the ball back at the Center Court in Wimbledon.’ It was very special.”

Two decades later, as he stood once again on the prestigious court of Wimbledon, the cheers and admiration from the crowd affirmed Federer’s status as an immortal figure in tennis.

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As the interview concluded, Federer’s reflections offered a glimpse into the indomitable spirit that propelled him to great heights in the sport. Its no wonder that he continues to inspire new generations of players and fans, leaving an enduring mark on tennis.

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