So I've been staring at a blank screen for a while trying to think of how to start this blog. Some might call it writer's block, others may call it a lack of inspiration, but trust me, there are plenty of things stewing around in my brain and I have had my fill of inspiration to last me until next Wimbledon. I don't need to tell you that last night's match was one of the most "epic finals in tennis history" because I'm sure you've read that in every newspaper in the world, whether it was on the cover of the New York Times or the Khaleej Times... you saw it. So say hello to the new King of Grass, Mallorca's Finest, Rafael Nadal. Not only did he defeat Roger Federer in Federer's realm at dusk yesterday, but Nadal also silenced every whisper that said he would never be good enough to beat Roger on grass. Spain might as well make this entire week a national holiday with their football team winning its first major trophy in, oh, over 40 years and Rafa becoming the first Spanish Wimbledon Champion since Manuel Santana in 1966.

Obviously, I don't need to write about the ecstatic state I have been in since last evening when Rafa pulled through after shaking off losing 2 championship points in the 4th set and somehow finding a way to win in the 5th, right before the umpire was going to call the match due to darkness. I have watched the Youtube clip of match point over and over and I still get goosebumps. When Nadal finally won, after playing the longest final in Wimbledon history, it was like nothing I had ever seen at a tennis match, like a soccer stadium with people erupting in screams or cries and the flashes of cameras lighting up Rafa's tear streaked face like a firework display. I don't even think he believed it at that moment.

It truly was one of the most unbelievable tennis matches I have ever watched. I mean, even my mom watched the entire match - all 5 hours of it - and announced the most outlandish statement I've ever heard her utter, "We need to get this match on DVD."

It wouldn't be enough to tell you that I got 17 text messages and 6 emails from people I didn't even think knew tennis could be played on grass. This just proves that yesterday wasn't just another Wimbledon Final, but a turning moment in the sport of tennis. People have become obsessed with the Nadal/Federer rivalry, and now there really is something to talk about. Both Nadal and Federer have made this sport great, set the bar so high that no one can touch them, and they consistently bring out the super human in each other. Because of this rivalry, people that once never knew anything about tennis have become attached to it. My brother's college roommates never even used to watch my brother, their own roommate, (!) play college tennis, and yet, they were glued to their television screens and swore they were peeing their pants during yesterday's match.

I understand if you all are sad that a champion lost yesterday, but think about it this way, both of them made each other great champions, without each other they would never have been challenged to achieve these levels of greatness. Rafa may not be Roger's favorite person in the world for the next few weeks, but in the end, they will both thank each other for making them better players. So, I guess, we really shouldn't even take sides in this rivalry between Nadal and Federer, because without one of them, this kind of tennis would not even exist. But... I just can't help myself. I have to take a side. Congratulations Rafa!!