"I realized we created something special": Light bulb moment for Roger Federer after initial devastation of Nadal Wimbledon defeat

Tennis legend Roger Federer has engaged in several battles with longtime rival Rafale Nadal on the tennis court, but their iconic clash at the 2008 Wimbledon final helped strengthen the Swiss superstar's bond with his fans, according to Federer himself.

Coming in as the defending champion, Federer fell to Nadal in an epic five-set encounter at SW19 that year. It stood as the longest singles Wimbledon final in terms of time played, until it was dethroned by the 2019 battle between Federer and Serbian foe Novak Djokovic.

The former World No.1 spoke about his 2008 Wimbledon final loss in a recent GQ interview, and stated he felt devasted after the match, as Nadal had broken the Swiss' 40-match winning streak at Federer's favorite Grand Slam. However, upon arriving in the United States a few months later, Federer realized people viewed his loss in a positive light, which helped strengthen his bond with the fans.

"I think in 2008 when I lost to Rafa [at Wimbledon, in what many think was the greatest match of all time], it was, I mean, a very particular moment because obviously I was devastated after losing that match," admitted Federer. "But then I would come to the States a month later and people are still talking about it, like, 'Oh, my God, that Wimbledon match.' I’m like, 'Yeah, I mean, it was good.' 'No, no, that was special and s**t. So you lost. But my God, I mean just seeing the human side come out of you and we’ve seen you win so much. So seeing you on the losing side felt really different and special.

"I’m like, 'Yeah, okay. I mean, the match was fine. Okay, it was good. But really.' It kept on going for days and days until I realized we created something special in that very moment."