It’s Wimbledon finals day and Richard and I are late. Can u believe it? we've missed the first 3 games. It's 2-1 Roger when we finally get to our seats. Wow man! This is unreal, I’ve been to the Olympics and big sporting occasions but this is a dream come true, we've got the Best seats in the house, right on the service line 12 rows up right behind Roger. Centre court is packed. Richard look over there Bjorn Borg and... Brad Gilbert and 'him with the blonde hair' points out Richard, Boris Johnson. La crème de la crème are here and so are we, I’m in heaven.
Game on, I’m still soaking up the ambience as Rafa takes the first set. Roger had his chances but Rafa would have none of it. The second set goes with serve until Roger breaks, he’s 4-2 up. He's going to win this one I say, Richard agrees. NO! says Rafa and he seals it with a 'vamos'
We're in shock, how could this be? Roger was 2 sets down and we feared it could be over in straight sets. The tennis had been great but nothing compared to what was about to come.
First rain break. We go for a sandwich. ‘Look it's Michael Stich!'. We follow him into the gents. Richard asks ' So Michael who's your money on?’
‘I said roger at the start I’ll stick with Roger’, says Michael.
Back on court the tension is mounting, 3rd set goes with serve; Rafa has his tactic spot on, play Roger's back hand. Roger has been missing it down the line. My brain has gone numb I can't remember when the 1st match point came, but Rafa keeps to his game plan and attacks the back hand. This time Roger nails it, a screamer of a back hand down the line. The crowd goes wild. Chants of Roger! Roger! Roger! echo around centre court and he wins the 3rd on the breaker. We all want it to go the distance, well, I do anyway. The 4th goes to a tie break the tennis is awesome winners from every angle Roger's forehand is travelling at warp speed Rafa's top spin is hitting every line. The 2 best players in the world by far are playing the best tennis the planet as ever seen on the most prestigious court in the world.
Suddenly It all goes quiet! 4th set tie break, Roger is 5-2 down. My heart is in my mouth my all body is shaking I look up to the sky and say’ please don't let it end here' it's over in a flash, Rafa double faults and Roger hits 2 winning serves and wins the set. It's madness. I missed a point somewhere but who cares. It’s 2 sets all. We are sure Roger is going to go on and win it from here. His serve had kept him in the game but we fear that if he was to loose it, it would be game over. He was twice 0-30 and served is way out of trouble.
Text messages are flying in from friends and colleagues’ take me with you next year'
'This is better then the world cup final' 'send me a pic.' 2 all deuce in the 5th. Second rain delay. Quick lets get a coffee
No time, covers are off, we rush back just in time to see Roger serve 2 aces. 3-2 Roger. I had been on the edge of my seat since we sat down but now I was like a yo-yo. The couple on my right had cracked open a bottle of champagne and were high on bubbly, the man next to Richard who missed the two aces cause he came back late thought I was a total nutter. Half the crowd was shouting Roger including me the other half Rafa. It sounded like Ro-fa Ro-fa. The woman in front of me, she couldn't shout! she had a mouth full of strawberries and cream. Surely Roger was going to do it now, he's going to rewrite the history books.
The tennis hits a new level, both players are inventing new shots in each rally, The speed and agility is mind boggling. 3 all, Roger... Rafa chants the crowd... 4-3 Roger. If he breaks now he can serve for the match ... New balls please! Roger gets a new racket, I shout ' get the magic wand Roger' but the body language says it all. Rafa came back after the last rain break really pumped up, his biceps looking bigger then ever and the balls were begging for mercy every time he hit one. 4 all ...5 all... 6all... 7all. It’s 9.05 pm, it's getting dark now, how can they see the ball? I got to hand it to Rafa, I wanted Roger to win so he could make history but Rafa is the man. He was the best player, he took everything Roger threw at him and then broke him. The expectation of history was too much for Roger.He looked tired. 7 all, Roger's first serve has deserted him. I've got my hands over my ears and my head between my knees.
I can't watch...I Miss some points. Roger hits one of his trademark forehand half way up the net, he's in trouble, Rafa then hits a cross court back hand at double warp speed+1 it's a screamer. Roger's head drops Rafa punches the air with a 'si'. Roger hits another forehand in the net exact same shot as the previous one, Rafa has the break. He's the man... really! He could even play another set in total darkness and still hit winners. He serves for the crown. I'm getting my camera ready the end is near, I miss 2 points. Rafa's game plan has been serve the back hand. This time he surprises Roger and hits a 115 mph on the forehand in near total darkness, Roger frames it. Championship point. Rafa serves to the backhand, Roger nails it down the line Rafa just gets it back over the net, Roger comes in like an express train but the ball is so close to the net he doesn't get the top spin to clear it.
It's all over! The king of clay has done it. The once invincible maestro, the man with the magic wand has finally been beaten, not by brute force, but by optimum power under control. Rafa is rolling on the grass, centre court is lit up with flash lights. I take my picture just as the lady with the strawberries stands up, nice pic. Got the back of her head!!!!
Rafa... You are such a beast on court and so humble and respectful in the interview.' rai verri rappy I win'. Yes Rafa u are now amongst the all time greats of tennis. Hail king Rafa! and thank you Rafa, this was one of the best moment of my life. It's been 3 days now and I’m still buzzing.
Patrick Robert
