Nadal ends Federer's Wimbledon dream

Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer’s dream of a record-breaking sixth consecutive Wimbledon mens’ singles title tonight with victory in an epic final.

The Swiss maestro battled back from two sets down and twice saved match point before the 22-year-old Spaniard finally prevailed 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 in very dark conditions on Centre Court.

Nadal fell onto his back and roared in triumph as Federer hit the ball into the net to bring to an end the four-and-three-quarter hour tussle.

The match was the longest mens’ singles final in Wimbledon history, and the 15,000 spectators on the historic court rose to their feet to acknowledge the titanic efforts of both men.

Nadal clambered into the stands and Royal Box and to thank his family and coaching team for their support, before returning to the court to receive the winner’s cup.

“It’s impossible to describe how I feel,” he said.

“For me it’s a dream to play in this court, but win – I never imagine this.”

He thanked his opponent for the game and paid generous tribute to him, saying Federer was “still number one, still the best”.

Heavy showers delayed the start of the match and forced the players off the court twice, first when Federer was two sets down.

The break seemed to give the 26-year-old a chance to regroup and he came back to take the next two sets on tie breaks.

With the match on a knife edge in the fifth set, the heavens opened again, and there were fears the game would have to go into a second day.

But with dusk gathering and flash bulbs firing in the gloom, Nadal earned a crucial break of serve and held on to win.

Bjorn Borg was in the crowd to watch Federer attempt to beat his record of five straight singles titles, but the left-hander from Mallorca was eventually too much for him – just.

“I tried everything,” Federer said, “Rafa is a deserving champion.

“It has been a joy to play here again. Pity I couldn’t win it, but I’ll be back again next year.”

Fine weather held for the majority of the fortnight, and near record-breaking numbers of spectators streamed through the turnstiles.

Drawn in by sunshine and – albeit modest – British success, 475,812 fans came to enjoy the 122nd Championships, beating the previous best for a 13-day tournament by 5,010.

The 2001 competition saw a total crowd of 490,081, boosted by play running over into an extra day.