LIVE FROM STUDIO 4
This is BRILLIANT!
Phenomenonal. Magnificent.
The longest men's final in Wimbledon history.
The first men's final to go later than 9 p.m.
The final Wimbledon final to be played without a roof, and notice how both the rain and the the rotation of the earth are playing a role in deciding when this match will be decided.
At stake: Will Roger Federer become the first man since William Renshaw in 1886 to win six consecutive Wimbledon finals (and the first to surpass Bjorn Borg, seated in the front row of the Royal Box, who won five in a row)? Or will Rafael Nadal become the first since Borg in 1980 to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year?
Match over...watching both Federer and Nadal give the on-court interviews. And listening to them both, understanding why they call it the Gentlemen's Finals. Class acts. American athletes could learn a lot from this match.
How close is this match? At 5-all in the fifth set each man had won 189 points.
We are seated in Studio 4, about 100 meters away from Centre Court. Jimmy Roberts, Beret, our stage manager, Matt, our teleprompter operator, Gita, our makeup lady, Hannan, a few runners and a couple of cameraman. It's got that same feeling as hanging out in your den.
This is simply epic. Enormous. And I have my headset on so that I can hear the orders our producer, John McGuinness, is giving, as well as the comments he is making to both Ted and John. It's just an amazing experience. Everyone here understands how lucky we are to be witnessing this, to be playing a minor role in it. No one feels as if they're just doing their jobs. We are fully engaged. And I'm having a difficult time comprehending the mental strain that Nadal and Federer must be feeling, considering how we feel.
Hope you saw Jimmy Roberts' essay. It was terrific, and much credit must go to our wunderkind producer Pierre Moossa. He's sublimely talented. You'll be hearing his name a lot in the coming years.
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NBCSports.com's John Walters goes into the world of college sports and well beyond. From Notre Dame to the latest in pop culture, JDub tackles it all.
Awoke 6am for Bfast @Wimby, which turned into Lunch @Wimby and the GREATEST Men's Final EVER!!!! Followed by a unique Award presentation lit only by flashbulbs. Memorable way to end an Open Roof era.
Imagine all of America captivated by an athletic event that does not qualify as a contact sport. I fancy that!
Enjoyed the match tremendously, had family members who don't watch tennis riveted. And what class guys at the end, even Roger spending the xtra time thanking fans after a momentous marathon loss.
One reporting curiosity: I was surprised I didn't hear NBC compare with epic 1980 match Bjorn vs John, particularly with Bjorn in the house & John announcing. There were a lot of parallels to 1980 - great 4th set tie-break, 8-6 in the 5th. John seemed like he was throwing Ted a lob for that comparison, and Ted missed it. Then today, nothing from Bud Collins on on 1980 vs 2008 retrospect. It's tough to announce greater & greater superlatives. That match comparison would've helped. NBC missed it.
-JM Michigan