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Nadal fulfils Wimbledon "dream"

07/07/2008

New champion Rafael Nadal has admitted he always dreamed of winning Wimbledon, hailing his dramatic victory over Roger Federer as a defining moment in his career.

The Spaniard claimed the win on Centre Court in near darkness as he fought off a stern fightback from the five-time reigning champion.

And he hinted that the moment he clinched the title eclipsed all four of his triumphs at Roland Garros in the French Open, where he is the undisputed king on clay.

"It's impossible to describe the feeling. I'm just very happy, it's unbelievable," he said.

"Always, as a kid, I dreamed of playing here. But to win it, I never imagined.

"It was the most emotional match I have ever played in and probably the best."

He continued: "When I won the French for the first time it was unbelievable too.

"I don't want to compare grand slams but Wimbledon is special, the tradition of it. For me, it's more surprising to win here than at the French."

Nadal's victory breaks Federer's streak of five consecutive titles and his 65-match unbeaten run on grass.

The match is already being described by many pundits as the greatest final in the history of the championships.