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Just one week after celebrating Spain’s Euro 2008 football win, Spanish media were full of praise today for new national champion Rafael Nadal who became the first Spaniard to win Wimbledon in over 40 years.
“Long live King Nadal!” wrote sports daily AS on its front page below a photo of the 22-year-old ATP world No.2 being congratulated by Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia after his win on Sunday.
“Memorable victory in the best final in the history of Wimbledon,” it added.
Nadal ended Swiss rival Roger Federer’s five-year reign at Wimbledon with an epic 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 win in the longest final – four hours and 48 minutes – in the history of the tournament.
“It doesn’t matter what the ATP say, Rafa you are the number one,” rival sports daily Marca said on its front page beside a photo of Nadal biting his new trophy.
“‘Rocky’ Nadal beat Federer in the match of the century,” it added.
The last Spaniard to win Wimbledon was Manuel Santana in 1966 when Spain was still ruled by dictator General Francisco Franco.
“Nadal will win Wimbledon many more times, especially when Federer is not taking part,” Santana predicted in an interview published in daily newspaper ABC.
Daily newspaper El Mundo said “Rafael Nadal has opened an new era in tennis” with his win over Federer while top-selling daily El Pais said “Nadal has become a giant”.
“Neither the rain neither Federer could stop Nadal,” it added.
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