[18] Federer Vs Nadal - A rivalry to cherish

Waking up at 5 has never been so good. Sipping lemon tea in the coziness of a blanket and watching two gladiators of tennis battle their guts out for the Australian open title is the best way to celebrate Sunday morning.

This rivalry among these greats has been on for sometime, and this time Nadal had to prove that Wimbledon 2008 and his rank 1 is no fluke and did that in style. It is truly a match made in tennis heaven and is a privilege to watch these two athletes compete and both of them more than lived up to their expectations. What makes this my fav rivalry is the ways these two players complement each other so beautifully.

Federer had his pristine touch, and watching him play is pure poetry. The way he flows is like a river is like an artist at work. He hits the baselines with the accuracy and precision of a cruise missile. He embodies classical tennis at its magical best. He is a sorcerer who can deposit the ball to any corner he chooses from anywhere with amazing grace and finesse.

On the other hand Nadal embodies more contemporary tennis. He is a machine endowed with left arm of God.He has an amazing defensive game, plays the angles beautifully and out of nowhere can come up with winners to the astonishment of everybody. He has the knack of raising his game to a totally different level when the big points come into play. The difference between the two players in this match would be in the third set when he was trailing 0-40 in the third set and came back to win the game and the set. Some of the tennis in the third and fourth set was from a different planet. It would have been super demoralizing for Federer. He is like a moving wall and returns everything. He came back after a mentally and physically draining, marathon five setter against Verdasco in semis with one day rest to play another five setter today and even towards the end looked fit to play another five setter.

I was crestfallen to see Federer cry during the presentation speech and say 'Its killing me'. It was as if the tears spoke saying he had tried absolutely everything. It showed that he was human too and my respect for him has grown many fold. This victory would be the entry of Nadal in the legends category. Though rivals, the way they met each other after the game, it seemed that they had utmost regard and admiration of each others game.

Ten hours after the game, I am still high on adrenalin. I hope to draw energy and inspiration from this match during tuff times.