London, Dec 31 (IANS) Rafael Nadal’s epic Wimbledon victory over Roger Federer in 2008 has been voted as the sporting moment of the decade.
In a poll conducted by the Daily Telegraph, Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 triumph in near darkness that snapped Federer’s winning run at Wimbledon has topped all other sporting moments of the decade, receiving 17 per cent of votes.

Liverpool’s ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ came second with 15 per cent votes. Arsenal’s ‘Invincible’ season of 2003-04 was third with 13 per cent. England’s Rugby World Cup victory in 2003 came fourth, with 11 per cent of the vote.

The 2008 Wimbledon final between the Swiss master and the Spanish fighter is generally regarded as the greatest tennis match ever played. And it was fitting John McEnroe should be commenting on the match.

McEnroe’s defeat against Bjorn Borg in the 1980 men’s final had been enshrined in the popular consciousness as the ultimate match. But McEnroe was happy to concede that the final of 2008 eclipsed even that spectacle. “This is the greatest match I’ve ever seen,” said McEnroe.

Wimbledon will never experience a match quite like it again, not least because it was the last final to be played without a roof.

The match lasted more than seven hours due to rain breaks, and as the fifth set dragged on there were fears the pair would have to return Monday morning. But at 9.16 p.m., when Federer hit a forehand into the net, his domination of the All England Club lawns, which had lasted for five summers, finally came to an end.

Top sporting moments of the decade

1: Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer in 2008 Wimbledon final (17 percent)

2: Liverpool win Champions League in Istanbul (15 percent)

3: Arsenal complete ‘Invincible’ season (13 percent)

4: Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal wins the Rugby World Cup for England (11 percent)

5: Usain Bolt breaks world records in Beijing sprint double (6 percent)