Rafael Nadal defeated five-time defending champion Roger Federer in the final, 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7 to win the gentlemen's singles tennis title at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships.[1] It was his fifth major title, and his first outside of the French Open. It was also the first time Federer lost a major final outside the French Open. It would be Federer's only loss at Wimbledon between 2003 and 2009. The final marked the third of three consecutive Wimbledon finals contested by Federer and Nadal, with Federer emerging victorious in the two prior encounters. It was the second-longest championship match in Wimbledon history with play lasting 4 hours and 48 minutes, and with two rain delays. The event stretched over seven hours ending just before nightfall,[2] and is considered by many to be the greatest match in tennis history.[3][4][5][6]
^Tignor, Steve (8 July 2008). "W: Report Cards". Concrete Elbow. Tennis.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2009.