Rafael Nadal Birthday Special: Beating Roger Federer in 2008 Wimbledon Final and Other Epic Comebacks by the King of Clay

Birthday boy Rafael Nadal staged another comeback from a set down to reach the quarter-finals of 2019 French Open with a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over David Goffin. The 33-year-old 'King of clay', has always been admired for his comebacks from situations others would have given in. His passion, endurance and determination to make his way back into the tennis court despite suffering career-threatening injuries make him one the most loved Tennis stars of all-time. Let us take a look at some of the birthday boy's greatest comeback in Tennis history. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Reach Record 14th French Open 4th Round.

Who but Nadal could have made a comeback after suffering tendinitis in both of his knees in 2013. Many would have retired and never touched the racket again but the fighter in Nadal fought his way back in the same year and also regained the world No. 1 ranking.

Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer Wimbledon 2008 Final

The greatest tennis match of all-time to many fans, this was an epic battle between two of the greatest Tennis players of the open era. Nadal beat Roger Federer 4, 6:4, 6:7, 6:7 and 9:7. Nadal faced Federer in the latter’s favourite court. Federer had won five consecutive Wimbledon titles till 2008 final and looked set for another successful defence of his most favoured trophy. Nadal had lost in the finals to the same opponent in the last two editions. But 2008 was Nadal’s year.

He had defeated Federer at the French Open and successfully did so even at Wimbledon dethroning the Swiss in his own court. The match lasted for four hours and 48 minutes amidst some rain interruptions and by the time Nadal his final shot, it was already dark. Nadal had won the first two sets but Federer bounced back in the next two before Nadal clinched with a 9-7 point victory in the fifth set.

Rafael Nadal vs Ivan Ljubičić 2005 Madrid Masters Final

Nadal could only win the French Open Grand Slam title in 2005. He was knocked out in the fourth round of Australian Open, second round in Wimbledon and third round in US Open. But Nadal was the master of Clay court. Nadal also clinched the 2005 Madrid Masters after defeating Ivan Ljubičić in an epic final in Madrid. Nadal beat Ljubičić 3:6, 2:6, 6:3, 6:4 and 7:6 to clinch the title after being two sets down. He lost the first two sets but bounced back in the next three.

Rafael Nadal vs Timothy Smyczek 2015 Australian Open Round 2

Nadal was knocked out in straight sets by Tomas Berdych in the Australian Open quarter-finals but not after he had beaten Timothy Smyczek in an epic match in round 2. Nadal won 6:2, 3:6, 6:7, 6:3 and 7:5 to progress after being 1-2 down at the end of three sets. Nadal won the opening set but Smyczek bounced back with back-to-back set wins before Nadal brought out his best in the next two sets.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 03, 2019 12:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).