The Relentless Rafael Nadal - The Spaniard's top 5-set matches

1. Wimbledon final 2008 vs Roger Federer

Roger Federer of Switzerland congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain in winning the Championship trophy during the men’s singles Final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2008 in London, England.

Perhaps the most obvious choice for no.1 has to be this epic Wimbledon final which is regarded as perhaps the best tennis match ever played. This victory was perhaps the most important Grand Slam victory in Nadal’s career where he dethroned the ‘King of Grass’ Roger Federer on his favourite turf. Grass, being Federer’s forte, was finally breached that day after a 4 hour 48 minute duel in a rain-interrupted match. By winning the match, Nadal achieved the rare French open -Wimbledon double. It was also his first non-French Open Slam victory, and helped dispel Nadal’s reputation as only a clay court specialist proving that he could play at the highest level even on a medium-paced grass court. This victory heralded the rise of a new tennis legend.