What caught our eye was the blistering speed, poise and power of a dark haired teenage prodigy the likes of which we had never seen.

The call was made back then. We were truly watching something special.

Six years on, 22-year old Rafael Nadal has lived up to that expectation. And then some.

Make no mistake about it.

This was more than a final to decide the 2008 Men’s Wimbledon champion.

At stake was world tennis’ new pecking order. Perhaps not on the official world rankings, but in the mind of every tennis player in every ATP Tour locker room around the globe.

It was a match that lived up to all the superlatives and expectations. One that put the brakes on Roger Federer’s seemingly relentless drive to secure an unprecedented sixth consecutive Wimbledon crown.

After the psychological trauma of Roland Garros, the Fed Express’ defeat on his preferred surface to Nadal was a crushing blow to his air of invincibility. Not only on grass but on any surface after failing this year on the hardcourts of the Australian Open and French clay.

Rain delays and a feisty Federer fight back from two sets down ensured it was the longest ever final at the All England club.

However it’s the repercussions of the defeat which will resound for a long time yet.

With next month’s US Open the final opportunity for Federer to win a grand slam this year, the major chasm in class between the 26-year old and his rivals is clearly no longer existent.

More importantly, whereas he was once perceived as a certainty to break Pete Sampras record of 14 Grand Slams, the feat now seems a whole lot tougher.

Granted the Swiss star only needs two more slams to equal the record. But it’s the mental battering and his ability to bounce back from it which will ultimately decide whether his goal becomes a reality.

Venus Williams was clearly in a different orbit after securing her fifth Wimbledon crown at the expense of younger sister Serena.

With the recent retirement of Justin Henin and the erratic form of Maria Sharapova, one senses an eighth all Williams Grand Slam final showdown is a forgone conclusion at Flushing Meadows.

Needless to say, the game as a spectacle will be all the poorer for it.

The world greatest cycle race got underway at the weekend and with it the hopes of a nation in the form of race favourite Cadel Evans.


With nine Australians in action this year, barring injury or disaster, Evans remains a $2.80 leading bet to become the first Aussie to wear the yellow jersey in Paris on July 27.

The winner of the races opening prologue, Alejandro Valverde however may not be so accommodating.

The Wallabies completed their Tri-Nations preparations with a dominant display against France at the weekend.


After their error riddled first test performance, coach Robbie Deans finally has Australia playing solid, simple, effective rugby.

The performance of two try hero and former Rugby League star, Ryan Cross was particularly impressive. As was that of Matt Giteau.

The jury is out however as to whether the Wallabies biggest ever winning margin against a depleted French outfit will instil fear in World Cup winners South Africa in a fortnight’s time.

The Boks themselves were on the wrong end of the scoreboard in their Tri-Nations opener against the All Blacks.

Let’s hope they don’t choose Subiaco to make a statement.